Pirelli concluded that the problem with Kimi Raikkonen’s tyre at the end of the British Grand prix was external damage. The Finn finished third in the race, behind the Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.
The tyre supplier issued the following statement:
“The results of the analysis on Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen’s front-left soft compound tyre, which experienced an issue at the end of the recent British Grand Prix, reveal specific damage in two places at the edge of the belt close to the internal shoulder area.”
“This damage is not present throughout any other areas of the tyre whatsoever. Furthermore, the belt and the structure do not show any signs of fatigue.”
“The possible initial cause of this damage is consistent with contact against an external body, leading to a partial separation of the belt from the carcass in the two affected areas. In one of these two places, as a logical consequence, part of the tread also became detached.”
“This damage did not, however, compromise the actual tyre structure. Raikkonen [was] able to make his way safely back to the pits on an inflated tyre.”
Pirelli concluded that the problem with Kimi Raikkonen’s tyre at the end of the British Grand prix was external damage
“A number of detailed tests have since been carried out, both destructive and nondestructive, on other tyres used by frontrunners at the British Grand Prix with a similar or bigger distance on them compared to the set used by Raikkonen (for 25 laps). On no occasion was there any sign of fatigue, detachment or laceration – or even the beginning of such problems – that affected the structure of the tyre.”
“In conclusion, Pirelli can confirm that no issues have emerged connected with the tyre itself.”
