Pirelli rules out structural failure of Vettel’s tyre

An analysis by Pirelli has confirmed that Sebastian Vettel’s right rear tyre did not suffer any kind of structural failure – and the Italian company has not ruled out debris some kind of “outside circumstances” as the cause.

A Pirelli statement today said:

“Following an extensive investigation of the circumstances that led to Sebastian Vettel’s right-rear tyre suddenly deflating on the opening lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a structural failure of the tyre has been ruled out as the cause by Pirelli’s engineers.

“Although not much remained of the tyre afterwards, there was enough for Pirelli’s engineers to carry out a full investigation, in collaboration with Red Bull Racing. Having subjected the tyre to minute analysis, structural failure of the tyre or valve has been ruled out as a cause of the incident. Track debris or other outside circumstances cannot be excluded as a possible cause.”

Meanwhile Pirelli’s motorsport director Paul Hembery added: “We can confirm that a structural failure was not the cause of Sebastian Vettel’s deflation in Abu Dhabi, a conclusion that we have arrived at together with Red Bull Racing following a detailed examination and analysis of the remains of the tyre. We cannot rule out debris on the track causing damage to the tyre, which then provoked a deflation, but having looked at the track closely there is no direct evidence of this.”
There have been suggestions in the media that the failure was influenced by the exhaust blowing onto the tyre’s sidewalls – the theory being that a normal start procedure to heat the tyres didn’t run to plan this time…

3 Comments

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3 responses to “Pirelli rules out structural failure of Vettel’s tyre

  1. Frusty's avatar Frusty

    Despite this drop, Sebastian Vettel is the best driver of the 2011 season. In 2012, it will be very hard to beat. I take this opportunity to share with you, the wallpaper of my favorite driver I found on the net : http://www.wallpapersf1.com/Sebastian-Vettel?wallpaper=571

  2. Stone the crows's avatar Stone the crows

    If it had anything to do with the set up of the car Red Bull will probably allow this failure to remain a mystery. My guess is low tyre pressure.

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