Sophie Collins
Major questions have been raised in Formula One after Sunday’s race in Baku saw Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll endure the same terrifying and race-ending tyre blowouts.
Both drivers crashed out after the rear tyre blew suddenly on the same stretch of straight.
Pirelli has yet to carry out a full investigation into both high-speed incidents at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, but have since come forward and said it may have been caused by external factors such as debris.
Pirelli F1 boss, Mario Isola, said an initial inspection after the race was brought to a halt when it was discovered that Mercedes’ seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton also had a damaged tyre.
“We need to clearly establish the facts behind the incidents,” he said.
Speaking after the race he said; “To retire from the lead of the race so close to the finish is pretty frustrating.
“I didn’t feel anything strange with the car and then suddenly the left rear went and I was in the wall quite hard. It’s not a nice place to crash and we don’t know the exact cause yet, I’m sure it will be fully investigated.”
Pirelli will be dealt many questions that need answering ahead of round 7 of the 2021 season in two weeks’ time, with a full investigation likely underway.
More to follow.
