Tires 'have not kept pace' with F1

Hamilton examines his blown Pirelli. The cars that generate the most downforce – Mercedes and McLaren – blew out their tires

(GMM) An F1 pundit claims that Pirelli "has not kept pace" in 2020 as Formula 1 speeds race ahead.

After a spate of tire failures at Silverstone, including on both Mercedes cars, the sport's official supplier said the long safety car period and the "notably increased pace" of the 2020 grid caused the problems.

Reports had indicated that debris may also have been a problem, but Pirelli argues that "the biggest forces ever seen on tires generated by the fastest F1 cars in history" was actually the culprit.

Ahead of the second race this weekend, Silverstone is also modifying a curb.

Pirelli is pushing ahead with F1's plan to race even softer compounds this weekend, with one Mercedes engineer saying that will be "really interesting".

Some have suggested the teams themselves are to blame, having earlier voted against using Pirelli's proposed 2020 tires. The result is that the faster cars of 2020 are now fitted with the 2019-spec Pirellis.

But Pirelli boss Mario Isola does not agree with that, telling Auto Motor und Sport that the 2020 tires "were designed for more stability, not less wear".

However, Finnish commentator Niki Juusela told C More: "The development of the tires has not kept pace with Formula 1. Even if the surface of the tire breaks down, the sidewall should hold.

"On the other hand, this is motorsport and tire problems are part of it."

In reaction, Pirelli is increasing minimum tire pressures for the weekend, but Isola said he does not support the imposition of a mandatory two-stop race.

"What do we do if there is an early safety car again? All we can do is set a maximum time for each type of tire," he said.

Another reaction is that scheduled development of the 2021 tires has been scrapped for Friday practice.

"The teams will concentrate fully on the Silverstone problem," said F1 journalist Michael Schmidt.