Drivers, fans question tyre performance in Bahrain GP

Pirelli’s Formula 1 tyres faced criticism following yesterday’s Bahrain Grand Prix. BBC Sport reports that seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, who finished the race in tenth place, complained over the tyre’s too quick rate of degradation. "I had to drive at a pace to manage the tyres to finish with tyres left over," he said. "We should question whether that should be the case. It's unsatisfying and not what a Formula 1 event should be."

Tyre degradation during the Bahrain race was more pronounced than at any other Grand Prix event so far this season. “If 80 or 90 per cent (of competitors) complain, maybe Pirelli should think about it,” Schumacher stated. “I don’t think it is right only one or two teams can handle it and the rest struggle so much.”

Pirelli redesigned its F1 tyres for the current season, and teams and drivers have struggled to come to terms with them, particularly regarding their correct operating temperature. Jenson Button told BBC Sport that “last year, we knew the tyres had high degradation but we understood them. This year, I don’t really know what to make of the tyres.”

In addition to drivers’ comments, Pirelli has received a pasting from some race fans. A visitor to the tyre maker’s Facebook page began his commentary with the words “Pirelli, your tyres are crap” and indicated that the F1 tyres’ performance was enough to turn him of using Pirelli tyres on his car. In reply, Pirelli pointed out that last year it received instructions from the FIA “to make tyres with limited lifespan so that there would be degradation that would force multiple pit stops. It was for the show, just like the introduction of DRS and KERS. Making tyres with a limited lifespan is harder than making tyre with a long duration and Pirelli is the sole tyre producer that accepted this challenge.”