Tyre supplier refuses to rule out track debris as a cause
Last Updated: November 16, 2011 11:19am
Puncture: Vettel retired on the first lap on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Pirelli have ruled out a structural failure as the cause of Sebastian Vettel's puncture in Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Vettel's Red Bull car spun off the Yas Marina Circuit just two corners into the race, with resulting suspension damage forcing the world champion into retirement.
Despite an investigation of the scene after the event by Vettel, along with bosses from Red Bull and Pirelli, nothing relevant could be gathered.
The right-rear tyre was part of a set of softs the Red Bull driver had used to qualify on pole position the previous day.
Although little was left of the rubber after Vettel had returned to the pits at the end of the first lap, there was still enough for Pirelli to conduct a thorough investigation.
Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery said: "We can confirm a structural failure was not the cause of Sebastian's deflation in Abu Dhabi.
"It is a conclusion we have arrived at together with Red Bull Racing following a detailed examination and analysis of the remains of the tyre.
"We cannot rule out debris on the track causing damage to the tyre, which then provoked a deflation, but having looked at the track closely there is no direct evidence of this."
Credit: Sky Sports (www.skysports.com)
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