Fernando Alonso has joined Lewis Hamilton in criticizing Pirelli’s wet-weather tires. The seven-time world champion interrupted a live interview with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali in the drenched Interlagos pitlane, expressing frustration over the delay of qualifying for safety reasons.
“You should have sent us out! This is ridiculous. I want to get out!” Hamilton exclaimed.
He further remarked, “If you give us better wet tires and blankets, we would be able to run in this. I’m putting you on the spot,” he laughed, highlighting his dissatisfaction.
During the Brazilian GP, which remained wet, the race saw numerous spins and crashes, including Lance Stroll’s unfortunate incident on the formation lap.
A significant red flag was later triggered by Franco Colapinto’s crash during a safety car period. Alonso, reflecting on the challenging conditions, said, “They weren’t ideal. But then again, we don’t have the tires suitable for the top category of the sport.”
The Aston Martin driver noted, “When it rains a bit, we always have aquaplaning and accidents.”
He pointed out that even during the safety car period, maintaining pace could be difficult, insisting, “We need to improve that.”
In response to the drivers’ complaints, Pirelli’s F1 chief Mario Isola explained that the rain during the Brazilian GP weekend varied significantly, from mild to heavy, and acknowledged the challenges posed by the new track surface.
“The grip levels in the wet were very limited, partly due to the oily layer it created,” Isola stated. “All things considered, I believe both wet tires proved to be up to the job.”
However, Isola also acknowledged the need for improvements. “For next season, we’ve made some changes, but unfortunately, we haven’t had the chance for thorough testing on a demanding track,” he said.
Pirelli has adjusted the tread pattern, construction, and compound of the tires, but Isola admitted, “I can’t say whether it’s enough or not.”
He concluded by stating, “If we are talking only about the lack of performance of rain tires, it only means that the cars should go slower. We realize that we need to improve performance, but that doesn’t mean our rain tires cannot be driven.”