Stroll in Azerbaijan — Photo: © LAT Images

Aston Martin

What happens next after Aston Martin responds to Pirelli findings?

Both Lance Stroll and Red Bull's Max Verstappen suffered near-identical tyre blowouts in Azerbaijan

Sam Hall

Wednesday 16 June 2021 13:34

Aston Martin has responded to the joint investigation by Pirelli and the FIA as to the cause of the two tyre blowouts seen at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Lance Stroll was pitched into the barriers in Baku when his left-rear tyre let go. The incident caused the safety car to be deployed due to the large amount of debris scattered along the straight.

On lap 47, race leader Verstappen, who was also lapping on the hard compound Pirelli tyre, suffered a similar failure.

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A statement from Aston Martin read: "Following the tyre issue on Lance Stroll’s car on lap 29 of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, we have worked with the FIA and Pirelli during their investigation.

"We can confirm there was no car fault that caused the tyre to fail.

"The team has always operated its tyres within the Pirelli prescribed parameters and will continue to do so."

What did the investigation reveal?

Soon after the race, Pirelli declared cuts to the rubber, likely caused by debris, to be the cause of the two blowouts with the supplier using a cut to the left-rear tyre of Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes as evidence to this point.

A statement released on Tuesday evening following the conclusion of the investigation detailed: "The causes of the two left-rear tyre failures on the Aston Martin and Red Bull cars have been clearly identified.

"In each case, this was down to a circumferential break on the inner sidewall, which can be related to the running conditions of the tyre, in spite of the prescribed starting parameters [minimum pressure and maximum blanket temperature] having been followed."

What happens next?

F1 and the FIA has reacted quickly to ensure there is no repeat of the problems seen in Azerbaijan.

To achieve this, a lengthy technical directive has been issued with stricter protocols in place over the use of tyre blankets and their removal, tyre pressures and other related procedures.

In its own statement, Red Bull echoed Aston Martin in maintaining it followed the regulations and protocols at all times across the weekend.

"We have worked closely with Pirelli and the FIA during their investigation into Max’s tyre failure on lap 47 of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and can confirm that no car fault was found," said Red Bull.

"We adhered to Pirelli’s tyre parameters at all times and will continue to follow their guidance.

"We are grateful that following the weekend’s high speed impacts no drivers were injured."