Pirelli Motorsport has identified the reasons for tyre failure in F1 Azerbaijan GP, as a new directive is in place for teams from the FIA.
With few days to go for the F1 French GP, Pirelli has released a statement regarding the Azerbaijan GP’s tyre failures for both Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. The Italian manufacturer has submitted the report to the FIA and the teams.
As is with every failure case, Pirelli took the tyres to its Milan base, along with few other sets. From their analysis, production and or quality defect, has been ruled out, while there was no sign of fatigue and also delamination scenario.
Instead, Pirelli reckons the contributing factor to the failure was how the tyres was used in the F1 grand prix. They found that the tyre failed ‘due to a circumderential break on the inner sidewall’ – which can happen, if the tyres are not used as per set parameters.
Pirelli noted that they have already had an upgraded directive in place after discussions with the FIA, which has been passed onto the F1 teams. They will continue to monitor it further in the upcoming weekends, to see if the issues are resolved due to it.
Here’s the full statement:
“Pirelli, in conjunction with the FIA, has completed the analysis of the left-rear tyres involved in the incidents that affected Lance Stroll and Max Verstappen during the recent Azerbaijan Grand Prix. This analysis also took in the tyres used by other cars in the race, which had the same or a higher number of laps on them compared to the ones that were damaged. The process established that there was no production or quality defect on any of the tyres; nor was there any sign of fatigue or delamination.
“The causes of the two left-rear tyre failures on the Aston Martin and Red Bull cars have been clearly identified. In each case, this was down to a circumferential break on the inner sidewall, which can be related to the running conditions of the tyre, in spite of the prescribed starting parameters (minimum pressure and maximum blanket temperature) having been followed.
“As a result of this analysis, Pirelli have submitted their report to the FIA and the Teams. The FIA and Pirelli have agreed a new set of the protocols, including an upgraded technical directive already distributed, for monitoring operating conditions during a race weekend and they will consider any other appropriate actions.”
UPDATE: Following the statement from Pirelli, Red Bull agreed to work together and follow their guidance as they have been, but noted that they followed all the guidelines and parameters, which they provided over the Baku weekend.
“We have worked closely with Pirelli and the FIA during their investigation into Max’s tyre failure on lap 47 of the Azerbaijan GP and can confirm that no car fault was found. We adhered to Pirelli’s tyre parameters at all times and will continue to follow their guidance. We are grateful that following the weekend’s high speed impacts no drivers were injured.”
UPDATE 2: After the statement from Pirelli and Red Bull, Aston Martin has released their own statement, which is same as what their F1 rival released on Tuesday evening.
On Lap 29, Lance was running comfortably inside the Top 10, when on the long run to Turn One, he suffered a technical issue that led to him making contact with the wall. The Canadian would retire from the Grand Prix in a dramatic race in which team-mate Sebastian Vettel scored Aston Martin’s first podium in World Championship history.
Having reviewed the incident since the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the team can provide a statement: “Following the tyre issue on Lance Stroll’s car on lap 29 of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, we have worked with the FIA and Pirelli during their investigation. We can confirm there was no car fault that caused the tyre to fail. The team has always operated its tyres within the Pirelli prescribed parameters and will continue to do so.”
Here’s Pirelli on their 2022 target letter
Here’s Max Verstappen and Pirelli on tyre blowout