Mercedes tweaks tyres after Mercedes request

Pirelli looks set to modify the design of its 2018 tyres, following a proposal by world champions Mercedes. Auto Motor und Sport reports that Mercedes' request followed Barcelona testing, when the team suffered from extreme blistering.

Pirelli boss Mario Isola confirmed: "The new asphalt is blacker and smoother and producing even more grip. This can lead to overheating." Mercedes told Pirelli that a solution might be to reduce the thickness of the rubber layer on critical circuits like Barcelona.

And Italian marque Pirelli agreed: "We would have done it anyway," Isola insisted. So in Barcelona, Silverstone and Paul Ricard later this season - circuits that were all recently resurfaced - the rubber layer of the tyres will be 0.4mm thinner, reducing the weight of the cars by a kilo.

Normally, Pirelli would need 70 per cent agreement for an in-season tyre design change, but in this case the Italian tyre maker is using the emergency safety argument.

Rival teams are not happy: "We have no problems with blisters," a McLaren source said. Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo said: "Our car is gentler on the tyres than the Mercedes." An unnamed team boss added: "Why should we change the tyres if Mercedes has a problem?"(GMM)