Pirelli in new push for qualifying tyres to solve Q3 issues
Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery is pushing for formal discussions about a revision to the Q3 tyre rules at the next meeting of the Formula 1 commission.
Amid fresh concerns about teams electing to not run in final qualifying so that they save tyres, Hembery is eager for more talks about the idea of specific qualifying tyres.
"We need to get all 12 teams together and I will certainly ask to put it on the table at the next F1 Commission meeting," he said when asked about the situation regarding Q3-specific tyres.
"Bernie [Ecclestone] is keen on it. He does not feel [cars sitting out Q3] is good for TV and we have been on record saying that. But, equally, we appreciate the teams' point of view. And it was unanimous when we last spoke to them that they felt the tactical intrigue created by not running and having fresh tyres was something that was good for the sport. Where the real solution in that lies I don't know.
"We will offer what is needed and that can be anything from an extra set for those in Q3 to make them run, through to full qualifying for everybody. We are open to whatever solution the sport feels is best, but we feel running cars in Q3 is important."
Despite Pirelli's push, and Ecclestone's support of the idea, teams are not keen on the idea of changing the current Q3 rules, under which drivers must start races with the same tyres that they set their fastest qualifying time with.
However, some team principals have suggested that the ultimate decider should be the fans at home.
Mercedes boss Ross Brawn said: "There are two sides to every coin and is the show spoilt by the fact that some of the cars at the back of Q3 don't run? I'm not sure it is. I think everyone's focused on what the guys fighting for pole are doing. But if there was genuine proof that the fans want 10 cars running all the time in Q3 then we'd accept some extra tyres."
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99877
Pirelli to the rescue!