FIA changes rules, allows tyre tests at Silverstone
Formula One’s governing body responded to a spate of British Grand Prix blowouts by deciding on Monday to change the rules and allow race drivers to test tyres with their current cars at Silverstone this month. “Our priority is to ensure safety for all in Formula One and we believe the incidents at Silverstone represent a genuine safety concern for the drivers,” International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Jean Todt said in a statement.
“We have thus taken the decision to alter the Young Driver Test to allow teams to use drivers they deem fit to carry out tyre development work in a bid to solve the problems we saw at the British Grand Prix. “I believe it is fitting to carry out this work at the circuit upon which the issues were manifested.” Teams that field experienced drivers on the July 17-19 test, which had been scheduled previously for drivers without race experience only, can do so provided they are clearly testing tyres for Pirelli.
Mercedes, who won Sunday’s race at Silverstone with Germany’s Nico Rosberg after team mate Lewis Hamilton took pole position, will not take part however.
The team had been told to miss the young driver test by an FIA tribunal as punishment for breaking the rules after taking part in a “secret” test with Pirelli in Spain in May with their 2013 car and drivers.
Track testing with current cars is banned during the season under existing regulations. The FIA said Mercedes, despite the nature of the test being changed, had agreed not to participate.
Teams were informed of the plan on Monday and the FIA said it would seek the immediate approval of its World Motor Sport Council to change the sporting regulations. The FIA added it would also seek to change the technical regulations to allow Pirelli to modify the tyres during the season without requiring unanimous agreement.
Ferrari, Force India and Lotus have previously resisted Pirelli’s attempts to change the specification of the tyres because they have got their cars working well with them and feared losing their competitive edge.
