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Sports

FIA revising rules on tires tests for F1 teams

By Sports Network
Published | Updated

London, England – Formula One's governing body, the FIA, revealed on Monday that it is taking a number of measures to quickly resolve the tire failures that had occurred in Sunday's British Grand Prix.

The FIA said it will now allow teams to participate in the F1 young driver test, which is scheduled for July 17-19 at Silverstone Circuit, the site of the British GP. Drivers who are taking part in the test must have competed in at least two grand prix this season. The FIA also made it clear to teams that the only purpose for doing this is to test tires for Pirelli, which is the tire supplier for F1.

During the 52-lap British GP, four drivers -- Lewis Hamilton, Felipe Massa, Sergio Perez and Jean-Eric Vergne -- suffered left-rear tire failure. Hamilton started on the pole and led the first seven laps before his tire blew. He rallied for a fourth-place finish, while his Mercedes teammate, Nico Rosberg, won the event.

"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," 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 tire 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."

Mercedes will not participate in the young driver test. FIA's International Tribunal recently suspended Mercedes from the test after the team conducted an unapproved tire test in May at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya. Mercedes and Pirelli also received a reprimand for the test.

In addition to the young driver test, the FIA notified teams that the approval of the World Motor Sport Council will be immediately sought for a change to article 22.4h (i) of the 2013 Formula One Sporting Regulations. The rule currently states, "No track testing may take place ... between the start of a ten-day period which precedes the start of the first event of the championship and 31 December of the same year."

Approval also will be sought for a change to the wording of article 12.6.3 of the this year's regulations, which will allow for a revision to the tire specifications during the world championship season without the unanimous agreement of all competing teams.

The FIA said the rule changes will allow them "to take all necessary actions to ensure safety."

Furthermore, the FIA has asked Pirelli for an assurance that there will be no repeat of the tire problems at this weekend's German Grand Prix or at subsequent grand prix.