Pirelli blames Vettel crash on cold conditions

  • Published on 16 Feb 2017 10:40
  • comments 4
  • By: Rob Veenstra

Paul Hembery has denied an early flaw with Pirelli's 2017 tyres may already have been uncovered. In 2013, F1's official supplier came under a bright spotlight when several tyres 'exploded' during the British grand prix. Pirelli's Mario Isola said this week: "The incident at Silverstone was a single episode, the cause was identified and we fixed the problem in seven days."

But now, Pirelli has developed tyres that will have to go through corners up to 40kph faster, to accompany the radical aerodynamic rule changes for 2017. Last week at Ferrari's own Fiorano circuit, Sebastian Vettel was testing the 2017 rain tyres when he slid into a barrier at speed.

Pirelli F1 chief Paul Hembery told the German broadcaster RTL: "It was very cold on that day -- it was extremely abnormal conditions that made testing very difficult and delicate. It was only 4 degrees, which is unusual," he added. Asked if the tyre had suffered a problem, Hembery answered: "Again, to get the tyres to work in those temperatures is the problem." (GMM)

Kevin

Posts: 5,299

He would have been saying the same had the tires been the cause of the accident. Till today, Pirelli is yet to take responsibility for tyre failures when it's obviously the tires causing it. Don't know about the truth in this matter, but I do know I don't rate Hembrey's comments on such issues ve... [Read more]

  • 1
  • Feb 16 2017 - 13:45

Replies (4)

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  • Don't bother, the press and the nut jobs on the social feeds are majorly stupid to even get it into their heads that cold + ice cold water + puddles = major freaking aquaplaning.

    • + 0
    • Feb 16 2017 - 11:04
  • Kevin

    Posts: 5,299

    He would have been saying the same had the tires been the cause of the accident. Till today, Pirelli is yet to take responsibility for tyre failures when it's obviously the tires causing it. Don't know about the truth in this matter, but I do know I don't rate Hembrey's comments on such issues very high.

    • + 1
    • Feb 16 2017 - 13:45
    • This is true but on this occasion its pretty much temperature and standing water as the cause.

      • + 0
      • Feb 16 2017 - 13:52
    • We will see sooner or later, methinks. I dont think this thing can be blamed on Vettel. Either way, Pirelli hasnt exactly been F1's best tyre supplier, their wet tyres in particular has never been stellar, and I dont think that'll change this year.

      • + 1
      • Feb 16 2017 - 14:21

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