The Bahrain Tyre Test - Rosberg shaken up by 200mph tyre blowout

[vcs316]

Pirelli assured Formula One teams that next year's tires would be safe after Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg escaped unhurt from a high speed blowout during private testing in Bahrain on Thursday.

"Just spun at full speed 320km/h on Bahrain straight cause my tyre blew up without warning," the German said in a tweet that was later deleted.

"Thanks to that need to get some toilet paper now."

Four of the 11 teams are taking part in a three-day test with tire supplier Pirelli, following changes to sporting regulations on safety grounds, to try out prototypes for the 2014 season.

While regular testing is banned until next year under current rules, Pirelli had called for a dispensation so they could collect more data about the tires with representative machinery.

The Italian company is keen to avoid any repeat of this year's spectacular British Grand Prix blowouts that threw the sport into crisis and forced Pirelli to revise their tyre construction.

Pirelli said in a later statement that the tyre that failed Rosberg was innovative in terms of structure and compounds, had only been tested previously in the laboratory and would not be used again.

"The safety of the tires which will be supplied for the next championship is not in question," the Italian supplier added.

Pirelli said Rosberg's accident was being investigated and the governing FIA and all teams would be informed of the findings. - Reuters

[varun]

A few questions..
first,a private Pirelli test means do the team run according to Pirelli's requirements (like setup or fuel etc)??
also why cant they reveal the timing's?

[Nova]

I was watching a race from 85 / 86 today, the tires were Goodyear and Pirelli..appears they (Pirelli) were having
problems then also. It was stated that the tires would not work unless it was 90 degrees. The more things change,
the more they stay the same....

I also read on Pitpass that Nico's original tweet had been removed....guess the Pirelli media controllers dont want anyone to know...

[Katu]

Well too late for that, news were all over it. Shame that drivers do not have freedom of speach, it must have been a scary moment for Nico

[Hornet]

PR control should be the least of their worries. :xmasredface:

[Giallo 550]

I would say Pirelli is a joke, but there's nothing funny about them jeopardizing lives with their inferior products.

[ManFromMilan]

I would say Pirelli is a joke, but there's nothing funny about them jeopardizing lives with their inferior products.

Well said Giallo.

It seems that even when they try and build conservative tyres, they still make shoddy crap that should not come near a F1 car.

[Winter]

"Just spun at full speed 320km/h on Bahrain straight cause my tyre blew up without warning," the German said in a tweet that was later deleted.

"Thanks to that need to get some toilet paper now."

No, not like that. Drivers should be more agressive against those Pirelli egg shells!

[brembo man]

200 mph blow out! Terrible! Thank God Nico is ok. Pirelli used Nico to test a new tire before it gets to Red Bull IMO.