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Pirelli allowed two unrestricted tests - Ecclestone

ESPN Staff
July 1, 2013 « British Grand Prix was close to being stopped | FIA rips up its own rule book »
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According to Bernie Ecclestone, the FIA will relax in-season testing restrictions to allow Pirelli to conduct two three-day tests to get to the bottom of the problems it faced in Silverstone.

Following five blow outs at the British Grand Prix, Formula One has demanded solutions from Pirelli, with some teams suggesting a switch to 2012 tyres in time for this weekend's German Grand Prix would be ideal. However, Ecclestone says he has talked to FIA president Jean Todt and persuaded him to relax the testing restrictions currently in place so that Pirelli can work towards a solution.

"They [Pirelli] have complained in the past when these tyres have delaminated - which is certainly nothing to do with it [what happened on Sunday]," Ecclestone told Press Association Sport. "They've said they'd like to sort it out, but they don't have a chance to do any testing because of these bloody silly restrictions we have. But I spoke to Jean Todt over the weekend and he has said 'Let them test'.

"So he has allowed them to run two three-day tests between now and ... well, when they want, to try and do something for next year, as well as this year, so that's exactly what's going to happen. They can use what [car] they like. No restrictions. None at all, so they can do what they want."

The idea could court controversy if the tests are conducted with single teams in a similar fashion to the ones conducted with Ferrari and Mercedes around the Spanish Grand Prix. At the Mercedes test Pirelli used a 2013 car and, along with Mercedes, was reprimanded by the FIA for not giving proper notice and being in breach of he sporting regulations. There have already been suggestions from Ferrari and Red Bull that the upcoming Young Driver Test at Silverstone could be handed over to race drivers to allow them to give feedback to Pirelli, but nothing has been confirmed.

Ecclestone said it is vital Formula One avoids a repeat of Silverstone.

"We obviously wish it hadn't happened," added Ecclestone. "There could have been big accidents in the race, but we have to be careful and know exactly what went wrong before we say anything more.

"One thing for sure is Pirelli don't want problems and would rather there be no troubles. So they will have to investigate and see if it was anything to do with the kerbs. Even one or two of the drivers said it might have been the kerbs."

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