Pirelli claims secret tyre change story 'nonsense'

Reports that emerged in Germany suggested that an email had been accidentally sent to the Lotus team from a Pirelli engineer suggesting that the tyres had been secretly changed from the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Although it is understood the matter was talked about by teams and the FIA at a meeting that took place in Melbourne on Thursday regarding 2017 tyres, Pirelli has moved to dismiss any suggestion of anything out of the ordinary.

In a statement sent on Saturday, it said: “The story relating to the tyres supplied for the 2015 Brazilian Grand Prix, published yesterday in the German media, has no foundation or truth in it whatsoever.

“The tyres supplied for the Interlagos event were identical in every respect to the tyres used throughout the entirety of the 2015 season. There was no change to the specification, nor was any such change ever proposed or discussed prior to the final test of the 2015 season at Abu Dhabi.”

Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery said that talk of the tyres changing for Interlagos was wholly incorrect – despite there being suggestions of correspondence.

Asked about the possibility of Pirelli changing its tyres in Brazil without notifying the teams, he said: “I don't think anyone told us either. There wasn't a change. It is completely nonsense.

“They weren't changed…”

When asked why the matter had come up for discussion and teams had talked about emails and letters, Hembery said: “I don't know. I haven't seen the letter.

“They absolutely 100 per cent did not change. So I don't know what it was referred to.”

It is understood Pirelli has tried to trace the email that has been mentioned but has found no evidence yet that it actually exists.