10/09/2011
NEWS STORY
Mat Coch writes:
The FIA has reacted to concerns over tyre safety, forcing all teams to adhere to Pirelli's camber recommendations for this weekend's Italian Grand Prix. Cars found in breach of those recommendations after qualifying will be referred to the stewards, deeming any offending cars to be of 'dangerous construction'.
The move comes after the Belgian Grand Prix where Red Bull elected to exceed Pirelli's recommendations, prompting concerns over tyre safety as the front tyres began to blister. In an attempt to avoid a repeat the FIA's Charlie Whiting issued a statement this morning stating that "further to the discussion in the team managers meeting on Thursday I can confirm that we will be checking camber settings after qualifying in order to ensure that the recommendations made by Pirelli are adhered to.
"Any car found to be outside of these recommendations will be reported to the stewards as being in breach of Article 2.3 of the F1 Technical Regulations (Dangerous Construction)."
Pirelli have recommended a more conservative 3.25 degree maximum camber limit this weekend, down from the 4 degree recommendation made in Belgium two weeks ago. A combination of high temperatures and speeds are expected to see tyre wear increase, according to Pirelli's Motorsport Director Paul Hembery, necessitating a more cautious approach to set up.
"Conditions were particularly tough because of the heat as well as the usual high speeds," Hembery said after practice on Friday. "Despite this heavy punishment, the tyres performed well, especially the medium. We're analysing the data, but there appears to be no blistering outside the usual parameters for this circuit.
"I would be surprised if on long runs you would not find some evidence of blistering," he continued, "but there was nothing that we have not seen in a number of other events, nothing that we would call a dramatic concern."