Pirelli ‘out-thought’ by teams running lower than expected F1 tyre pressures

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll both suffered high-speed crashes along Baku’s main straight when their tyres suddenly failed during the race.

A Pirelli investigation concluded that the blow-outs were “related to the running conditions of the tyre” and were not induced by debris, despite both Red Bull and Aston Martin insisting they had adhered to the parameters set out by F1’s official tyre supplier.

Speaking ahead of the French Grand Prix at Paul Ricard on Thursday, Isola revealed teams had indeed reduced their tyre pressures but stressed they were still in compliance with the regulations and the starting minimum tyre pressures.

Asked if Pirelli had been out-thought by the teams, he replied: “Probably, yes.

"If they were running in a condition that was not expected by us it means that obviously, they found a way to run in a condition that was expected.

"How did they achieve that? You should ask them. What is important for me is that we operate the tyres in the right way.”

While lowering tyre pressures is not against the rules, it will be as of next year when Pirelli introduces its 18-inch wheels.

 "We assume that running at a certain pressure, a certain camber, with a margin, of course, we run in a condition that is okay for the tyre,” he explained.

"In this case, we didn't achieve these conditions, not because they were doing something against the regulations, but because they were looking - as usual - for performance and that created a different scenario compared to what we were expecting.

"The different scenario is that mainly the tyres were running at a lower pressure compared to the expectation, and it was not just the lower pressure, there were also other elements in the equation, that created the failure.

"In the regulations, it is not written what are the running pressures you have to respect so I cannot say they were doing something against the regulations in their search of more performance.

"If they respect the starting pressures then at the moment they are complying with the regulations. If the same happens next year when, with a standard sensor, we impose a running pressure, in that case, they will be against the regulations.

"But this is not the case this year, and it is not possible to do that simply because we don't have a sensor that we can rely on measurement.

"That's why each team is looking for performance. They are here racing, not to cruise on track. In looking for performance, if you go with a bit lower pressure you get some performance.”

Earlier in the day, F1 championship rivals Lewis Hamilton and Verstappen had disagreed over the outcome of the investigation, with Hamilton saying Pirelli were not to blame.

The FIA has introduced new protocols for this weekend’s French GP that will see more stringent checks on both tyre pressure and temperature imposed.