Webber joins Alonso in a attack on Pirelli

Mark Webber has joined his friend Fernando Alonso in delivering a blistering attack on F1 tyre supplier Pirelli. Ferrari's Alonso said on Saturday the "quality" of the Italian marque's 2013 products are "very on the edge", to which Pirelli boss Paul Hembery hit back. "I can only suggest he goes to ask the soon-to-be four time champion how to get the best from the same tyres," said Hembery.

It is believed Hembery approached Alonso on Sunday and apologised for the harsh rebuke, but after the Korean grand prix Pirelli was fighting on another front. Before retiring with a spectacular KERS fire after a crash on Sunday, Red Bull's Webber suffered a tyre puncture, caused by the debris of what the Australian described as Sergio Perez's tyre "explosion". Webber accused Pirelli of being unconcerned about driver safety. "I think I got a Pirelli puncture from a Pirelli tyre," he lamented.

Pirelli entered F1 with a brief to spice up the racing by supplying tyres that degrade quickly. On Sunday, a frustrated Lewis Hamilton said on the radio he lost ground with a set that was "f****d". "It's strange, you know," the Briton said afterwards. "Me and Fernando in fifth and sixth at the end having our own little race, yet we are of a higher calibre than that." And Webber is quoted by the BBC: "The drivers aren't super important (to Pirelli) -- it is what other people want."

Amid Webber's troubles, his teammate Sebastian Vettel cruised to a fourth consecutive win on Sunday, moving him to his first 'match point' of a fourth consecutive title. If Alonso finishes lower than eighth on Sunday at Suzuka, and Vettel wins a fifth consecutive race, the German will wrap up the championship with four races still in his pocket. (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

Test calendar

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2026

Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
6 - Mar 8
Australia
13 - Mar 15
China
27 - Mar 29
Japan
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
1 - May 3
United States of America
22 - May 24
Canada
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
12 - Jun 14
Spain
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
10 - Apr 12
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
5 - Jun 7
Monaco Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 628
  • Podiums 9
  • Grand Prix 194
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (44)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, ES
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

  • Team name Pirelli
  • Base Milan, Italy
Show full profile
show sidebar