F1 tyre situation 'fundamentally wrong' - Lauda
Niki Lauda insists that it's bad for fans when there are so many pitstops, but Paul Hembery says that fans think the racing is more exciting now
Mar.19 (GMM) Niki Lauda has slammed the tyre situation in Formula One, accusing Pirelli and the FIA of confusing the fans.
"The situation with the tyres is absolutely stupid," the forthright triple world champion, broadcaster and Mercedes team chairman and shareholder said.
"Artificially creating more and more pitstops is wrong," Lauda told German newspaper Bild.
"Pirelli can't really help it as they are only doing what the FIA ordered them to do, but 90 per cent of the time no one understands what is happening in the races now."
Lauda said the current situation, with the tyres more influential than ever before, is confusing for the fans.
"My advantage is that I can ask our (Mercedes) engineers. The fans cannot. But even our people are confused.
"When the tyres are so soft, it's bad for Formula One. The fans don't understand if there are more than two pitstops. (For F1) it's a fundamentally wrong path."
Pirelli's Paul Hembery hit back: "Many fans have told us they think the racing is more exciting now."
Share Or Save This Story
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Pirelli chief calls for radical F1 overhaul
Where will Kevin Magnussen rank among the Project 91 NASCAR drivers?
Kimi Raikkonen goes viral with blunt two-word response to throwback F1 post
Otmar Szafnauer reveals failed Kimi Raikkonen bid involving "Angry Birds" founders
George Russell resorted to "abnormal" driving style to win F1 Austrian GP
Mercedes boss questions how Ferrari can afford "limitless" F1 upgrades
George Russell claimed a much-needed win in Austria, but could Max Verstappen - or Kimi Antonelli - have won?
Video: Noah Gragson retaliates against Cody Ware; Todd Gilliland vs. 23XI at Sonoma
Trackhouse crew chief says they were 'lucky' to have Van Gisbergen against faster JGR car
Susie Wolff explains why F1 Academy cannot be a "charity project" as series grows
Red Bull's Austrian GP upgrade package compared to "B-spec" F1 car by former mechanic
How Arvid Lindblad has shown that he's found his feet in F1
Why F1's engine-upgrade picture is becoming ever more ludicrous
George Russell claimed a much-needed win in Austria, but could Max Verstappen - or Kimi Antonelli - have won?
What were Antonelli’s chances of starting on the front row in Austria without his yellow-flag blunder?
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments