F1: Verstappen says Pirelli knows their tires had an issue

Max Verstappen has asked why Pirelli are changing their rear tires if, after the Baku blow-outs, they insisted they were safe.

Verstappen lost out on a sure win at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the Dutchman leading the race ahead of his team-mate Sergio Perez when his rear left tire failed.

Earlier in the race Lance Stroll suffered a similar crash, hitting the concrete barrier with force as his rear left went.

Pirelli investigated the incidents and declared that they were likely caused by tire pressures, adamant there was nothing wrong with the rubber.

Despite that, the tire manufacturer is testing new reinforced rear tires at this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix.

Verstappen asked if there was nothing wrong with the tires, why would Pirelli be wanting to introduce new rubber?

“If nothing had been wrong, they wouldn’t have had to change it,” he told De Telegraaf. “That seems clear to me.

“We’ll see how it works out for everyone, but I’m not worried about that. No, I don’t need to prove myself right, but it’s clear that something was wrong.”