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Late last week, tyre manufacturer Pirelli has decided to change the compound choice for the Brazilian GP following complaints from drivers. Pirelli initially announced that they would make the hard and medium rubber available for the penultimate race of the season at Interlagos as the “energy demands are high” at the circuit. However, Williams driver and local hero Felipe Massa described the selection as “dangerous, very dangerous”. As a result of the feedback from drivers such as Massa, Pirelli has decided to switch to soft and medium tyres for the race. In a press statement late last week, Pirelli Motorsport Director Paul Hembery said the following on the subject:- ‘We’ve always said that we would be open to any changes if they were required. After further technical analysis of the impact of the revised circuit surface, together with a risk assessment suggesting a low probability of compound overheating due to extreme track temperatures, we have made this change with the unanimous agreement of all 11 teams.’ As Hembrey has stated last week, Pirelli need to be open to any changes that they need to make to their compounds on grounds of safety for the drivers and that for me is paramount to everyone who is associated with Formula One. After considering the feedback and also analysing the situation for themselves, it is clear that the proposed changes Pirelli have made for Interlagos have reached an unanimous agreement of the teams and that they believe the correct decision has been made. I think it is safe to say that troubles regarding the Pirelli tyres have been well and truly learnt after their mistakes in the 2013 season and that they are listening to the feedback they are receiving and are quickly acting upon it to nip these issues in the bud before they materialise. And Pirelli have shown this in the swift, quick and responsive manner to the issues being raised with their proposed selection of tyre compound they wanted to bring to Interlagos in a few weeks time. Pirelli have sought, seeked out and acted upon this advice and will be bringing an compound to the Brazilian GP that has the approval of the teams and the drivers and also the importance of its safety has been assured and that is what matters the most.
