Pirelli threatens to quit F1 over lack of testing

Pirelli has warned it will be forced to quit Formula 1 if it is not allowed any winter testing prior to 2014's new cars running.

Although the Italian tire manufacturer has a deal to continue in F1, it is growing increasingly frustrated about the lack of assistance it is being given in preparing for the challenge of next year's regulations.

It had hoped that the matter would get resolved at this week's Strategy Group meeting, but it appears that no solution to help on the testing front was forthcoming.

With Pirelli under no illusions about how difficult it will be to ensure its products are able to cope with the high torque demands of next year's power units, it says it cannot accept only getting to run again at next year's official first test in Jerez.

Pirelli chairman Marco Tronchetti Provera recently indicated that he would be prepared to pull his company out of F1 if testing did not happen before Jerez, and its motorsport director Paul Hembery made it clear in India on Friday that the situation was now critical.

When asked by AUTOSPORT about the latest developments, Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery said: "Based on the comments of our chairman a few weeks ago, there has to be some running or we cannot do the tires.

"We just want some common sense on the issue – that is all we would like. We have to do some testing. If we cannot, then we will not be able to provide the tires for next year." More at Autosport.com

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