Pirelli to keep F1 tires unchanged for now

LONDON - Pirelli have ruled out changing the construction of their Formula One tires until at least August due to teams failing to reach agreement at last week's Canadian Grand Prix.

Announcing their compounds on Thursday for the next three races - in Britain, Germany and Hungary - the Italian company said they had abandoned a plan to introduce a new tire at Silverstone this month.

"This decision is due to the fact that the new tires, which were brought to the Friday free practice sessions in Canada, could not be tested sufficiently due to rain," Pirelli said in a statement.

It added that the teams had also "failed to agree unanimously about introducing the changes."

"Instead a change in the tire production process should now ensure that the delamination issue has been addressed," Pirelli said.

Formula One's sole provider has been in the headlines all season after some teams, with champions Red Bull among the most vocal, complained that the 2013 tires did not allow them to race as before.

The tires have been designed to encourage more pitstops and overtaking by losing performance quicker but that has led to criticism that drivers have had to make too many stops and reduce speeds to make them last.

The tires have also suffered from delamination - when the tread peels off while the tyre remains inflated. Although not worried about safety, Pirelli are concerned about their image and are keen to prevent it happening.

Pirelli are also in the spotlight for conducting a 'secret' tire test with Mercedes in Spain last month that has led to both parties being summoned to appear before a motor sport tribunal in Paris next week.

Drivers will use hard and medium tires at the June 30 British Grand Prix and in Hungary on July 28. Germany, on July 7, will be medium and soft. - Reuters