Hamilton claims new tyre law will fall flat as it risks death of drivers
LEWIS HAMILTON fears lives could be put at risk if Formula One presses ahead with a proposal to outlaw tyre blankets.
The ban could come into force as early as next year, with a vote of the sport’s major players due to be held after the British Grand Prix in July.
Tyre warmers allow drivers to have rubber with suitable grip and pressure when they start the race or leave the pits.
But they use a considerable amount of energy – and their removal is being considered on cost and sustainability grounds.
Seven-time world champ Hamilton is among only a handful of drivers to have completed dry weather no-blanket running for F1’s tyre supplier Pirelli.
He said: “It is dangerous. I have tested them and there is going to be an incident at some stage.
“So on safety grounds, it is the wrong decision. You have to drive multiple laps to get the tyres to work.”
Responding to Hamilton’s comments, Pirelli boss Mario Isola said: “We are following a plan with the FIA and F1.
“We are in the early stages and after Silverstone there will be discussion with all the parties involved.”
Hamilton was addressing the contentious topic on the final day of this week’s three-day test in Bahrain.
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez set the fastest time ahead of Hamilton.
The Mexican was 0.359 seconds ahead, despite using a harder, slower tyre.
Despite team principal Toto Wolff declaring at the start of the week that he expected Hamilton and team-mate George Russell to have the machinery to contend for this season’s world title, there is a growing, and ominous feeling in the paddock, that reigning king Max Verstappen and his Red Bull team might prove unstoppable.
“It is difficult to sum it up,” said Hamilton, when asked to assess his chances ahead of next Sunday’s opening race, also in Bahrain.
“We have had a couple of difficult days, yesterday particularly was difficult and a bit more of a struggle.”
Hamilton took over testing duties from Russell for the concluding session.
Russell ended the opening running yesterday four tenths back from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
Leclerc, a distant second to Verstappen in the championship last season, said: “I feel we have got some work to do. Red Bull seems to be very strong.”
Meanwhile, Formula E’s Antonio Felix da Costa was left tearing up after he secured his first win in Porsche colours.
The 2020 champion has been playing second fiddle to Pascal Wehrlein – but produced a stunning performance in Cape Town.
DEFENDING world superbike champion Alvaro Bautista drew first blood in Australia as he splashed to the opening win of the year at Phillip Island. The Aruba.it Ducati rider beat Kawasaki’s six-time champ Jonathan Rea, who started on pole, by 3.471secs. Turkey’s Toprak Razgatlioglu finished third in the wet season-opener.