Pirelli's F1 Debacle Results In Strengthened Tyres

Image via worldcarfans.com

Pirelli will strengthen its tyres with Kevlar at this weekend's German Grand Prix following six blowouts at Silverstone. The quickly-degrading tyres Pirelli was asked to provide for this season's Formula 1 Championship have proved controversial, but with driver safety at risk, the FIA will allow changes to be made.

Image via planetf1.com

For the German Grand Prix, Pirelli will replace the current steel belt with Kevlar in its rear tyres, which should help protect the rubbers from punctures. For the following Grand Prix in Hungary, teams will use 2012's tyres.

Following delaminations earlier in the season, Pirelli had asked to change the belts to Kevlar, however the FIA would only let Pirelli change the tyres if teams unanimously voted for it. Ferrari, Force India and Lotus were reluctant to change, but following the dangerous blowouts at Silverstone the trio will no doubt have changed their minds. The FIA has rewritten the rule to allow changes without teams' permission, just in case. With drivers admitting to not feeling safe with the current construction, work has to be done.

Image via totallycoolpix.com

Furthermore, drivers can now take part in the young driver tests this month, in order to allow Pirelli to undertake tyre development.

While it's great to see the FIA change its stance on the tyre situation, it's a shame such an episode had to take place before anything was done. Hopefully the season can continue, uninterrupted by outside failures.