Pirelli says it was ignored over tyre rule request

Sebastian Vettel launched a furious attack on Pirelli's tyres after he suffered a spectacular failure on the penultimate lap of the race at Spa-Francorchamps.

Pirelli has suggested, however, that Ferrari was to blame for the situation because it allowed the tyres to wear away by opting for a one-stop strategy. Vettel's tyres had done 28 laps when the right-rear failed.

In a clearly provocative statement sent out on Sunday evening, Pirelli said: “Since November 2013, Pirelli requested that there should be rules to govern the maximum number of laps that can be driven on the same set of tyres, among other parameters to do with correct tyre usage.

“This request was not accepted. The proposal put forward a maximum distance equivalent to 50% of the grand prix distance for the prime tyre and 30% for the option.

"These conditions, if applied today at Spa, would have limited the maximum number of laps on the medium compound to 22.”

Vettel: tyres not safe

Vettel left the track immediately after the race, avoiding his usual media commitments at the Ferrari motorhome.

He did, however, speak to a few television channels and left rip on his feelings about the Pirelli situation.

“If this had happened 200 metres earlier, I am not standing here answering your questions now, I am with 300km/h in the barrier to Eau Rouge,” he said. “This is unacceptable.

“We had something similar on Friday, without notice, so if you listen to all the excuses, the debris, the driver went off track.

"Nico said on Friday he didn't go off track, I didn't go off track, so there is no explanation for what happened. And as a matter of fact it is not safe.”