F1 teams' vote on 2019 tyre change revealed

Matthew Scott
Friday 28 June 2019 10:59

Formula 1's teams were evenly split on a vote to change the tyres used in the 2019 season, ensuring that the sport will not return to the compounds used last year. Teams such as Red Bull and Ferrari believe Mercedes have gained a disproportionate advantage this year due to Pirelli's new tyres.

A thinner-gauge tyres were trialled at some races last year and it was decided that they would be rolled out for every race in 2019, as drivers could push harder on them.

However, it has not ended the processional nature of some races, while one-stop strategies remain the norm for most races in normal conditions.

Teams were brought together on Friday morning at the Austrian GP, along with motorsport director Ross Brawn, FIA technical boss Nikolas Tombazis and Pirelli chief Mario Isola.

Drivers Romain Grosjean, Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc were also in attendance, alongside GPDA chairman Alex Wurz.

With seven teams' votes required to enact a change, Merceds and engine customers Williams and Racing Point voted against the change, as did Renault and McLaren, ensuring no change will be made mid-season.