Pirelli offers its conclusions in Ferrari tyre failure probe

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F1 tyre supplier Pirelli has concluded ist investigation into Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen tyre failures in last weekend's British GP.

Drama hit the Ferrari camp in the closing stages of the race at Silverstone when Raikkonen was forced to pit with a tyre puncture only for Vettel to also fall victim to a left-front tyre failure a lap later.

While Raikkonen salvaged a podium finish, Vettel was relegated from fourth to seventh in the final results.

Pirelli says that a slow puncture and 'consequent driving on a flat tyre' caused the final issue for Vettel while further analysis is required to determine the cause of Raikkonen's damaged rubber.

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The Italian manufacturer issued the following statement:

"Pirelli has concluded the analysis on Sebastian Vettel’s damaged front-left P Zero Yellow soft tyre, which affected him two laps from the finish of the British Grand Prix.

"As appeared clear since Sunday afternoon, a full investigation has now confirmed that the original cause of the failure was a slow puncture.

"The consequent driving back to the pits on an underinflated and then flat tyre led to the final failure.

"Kimi Raikkonen’s damaged tyre shows less evidence of what occurred, so further tests and analysis are still ongoing in Pirelli’s laboratories and indoor testing facilities. It will take a few more days to reach a definitive conclusion."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.