Pirelli pin Rosberg tire failure on external cut

[August 22, 2015]  By Alan Baldwin
 
 SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium (Reuters) - Nico Rosberg's high-speed blowout in Belgian Grand Prix practice was likely caused by an external cut to the tire and any structural problem can be ruled out, Formula One supplier Pirelli said on Saturday.

"We have conducted a thorough investigation to find out exactly what happened with Nico's tire," said Pirelli motorsport head Paul Hembery.

"This investigation now excludes any structural integrity issues. Based on the information and data available an external source of damage is the conclusion made."

Pirelli said they had checked tires used by other teams as well as Mercedes and also found nothing of any concern.

The Italian company said video footage had showed a tire problem on the German's car "consistent with an external cut into the tire structure".

Rosberg was fastest in Friday practice but suffered the explosive blowout in the afternoon session as he approached Blanchimont at full throttle.

"That was definitely not fun," he told reporters after escaping unscathed from the heartstopping incident in which the right rear tire shredded in seconds.

"Luckily I did not hit the wall. I didn't feel anything before, there was no warning. There will be a big analysis. I was feeling quick before then, comfortable."

Mercedes executive director Paddy Lowe told reporters afterwards that "there seemed to be some bits of tire structure coming out up to a minute before the actual terminal failure of the tire."

The tires were discussed by drivers in a meeting with FIA technical delegate Charlie Whiting on Friday evening, with reports suggesting Rosberg's world champion team mate Lewis Hamilton had raised safety concerns.

Whiting reportedly pointed out that Pirelli, whose contract runs out at the end of 2016, had not experienced any structural failures since a spate in 2013 forced changes to the tire construction.

High-speed Spa is the longest and one of the most demanding circuits on the calendar.

(Editing by Amlan Chakraborty)

[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.