F1 News: Old men Alonso, Hamilton slam Pirelli wet tires as Max Shines

(GMM) Fernando Alonso has joined fellow Formula 1 veteran Lewis Hamilton in his criticism of the wet-weather tires supplied by Pirelli while the more talented Max Verstappen had no problem with them whatsoever in a dominating win.

Seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton gatecrashed a live interview in the sodden Interlagos pitlane with Stefano Domenicali as the F1 CEO explained why qualifying had to be delayed for safety reasons.

A smiling Hamilton intervened and told the Italian: “You should have sent us out! This is ridiculous. I want to get out!

“If you give us better wet tires and blankets we would be able to run in this. I’m putting you on the spot,” the Mercedes driver laughed again.

Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 03, 2024 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool — As the old men crashed or went off track, the more talented Max Verstappen was fastest on both Pirelli full-wet and Intermediate rain tires. Here Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 on his way to setting 17-fastest race laps on the Intermediate tires during the F1 Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 03, 2024 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

Even on Sunday for the still-wet Brazilian GP, the race became a festival of spins and crashes. Lance Stroll even crashed out on the formation lap, while the decisive red flag waved later on when Franco Colapinto crashed during a safety car period.

“They weren’t ideal,” said 43-year-old Alonso when asked about the conditions in the race. “But then again, we don’t have the tires suitable for the top category of the sport either.

“When it rains a bit we always have aquaplaning and accidents,” the Aston Martin driver added. “I think even Franco behind the safety car. Sometimes you can’t even keep up with the safety car,” the Spaniard insisted.

“We need to improve that.”

Responding to the complaints, Pirelli’s F1 boss Mario Isola pointed out that the rain during the Brazilian GP weekend “varied in intensity” from mild to extreme, whilst also pointing the finger at the new track surface.

Mario Isola, Racing Manager, Pirelli Motorsport, during the team representative press conference during the Brazilian GP in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by LAT Images for Pirelli)

“The grip levels in the wet were very limited, partly due to the oily layer that it created,” said the Italian. “All things considered, I believe both (wet) tires proved to be up to the job in hand.”

However, Isola also admitted that Pirelli can certainly “improve the wet tires” for the future.

“That’s the goal,” he said. “For next season, we’ve made some improvements but unfortunately, we haven’t had the opportunity to do proper testing on a track that’s very demanding on the tires.

“But we’ve changed the tread pattern a little bit, worked on the construction and the compound. We’ve made progress, but I can’t say whether it’s enough or not,” Isola admitted.

“If we are talking only about the lack of performance of rain tires, it only means that the cars should go slower. We realize that we need to improve the performance, but that doesn’t mean that our rain tires cannot be driven.”