F1 teams to be allowed to test tyres after British Grand Prix blowouts

Melbourne: The governing body of Formula One has decided to change its rules to allow race drivers to test tyres with their current cars at Silverstone this month following a spate of blowouts at the British Grand Prix.

According to the Age, 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. However, the report added that 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 in the test as punishment by an FIA tribunal for breaking the rules after taking part in a `secret` test with Pirelli in Spain in May with their 2013 car and drivers. Stating that their priority is to ensure safety for all in F1, International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Jean Todt stated that they believe that the incidents at Silverstone represent a genuine safety concern for the drivers. According to Todt, this is why the body has 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 seen at the British Grand Prix, adding that it is fitting to carry out this work at the circuit upon which the issues were manifested. Although track testing with current cars is banned during the season under existing regulations, however, the FIA said it that would seek the immediate approval of its World Motor Sport Council to change the sporting regulations. The FIA also said that it would also seek to change the technical regulations to allow Pirelli to modify the tyres during the season without requiring unanimous agreement. Five drivers suffered explosive tyre failures in Sunday`s race, with even world champions like Lewis Hamilton - who had the first big failure while leading on lap eight - saying after that they had feared for their safety, the report added. ANI