UpdateF1 >> Formula 1 News > Coulthard criticises tyre blanket ban

Cold tyre danger concern

Dec.12 (GMM) Formula one veteran David Coulthard has criticised the decision to ban tyre-warming blankets from 2009.

The Red Bull racer expressed his concern after the recent Jerez tests, where the blanket ban along with slick tyres and reduced downforce - all part of the 2009 regulations package - were tried together for the first time.

Coulthard, 36, thinks ridding the sport of tyre blankets is not only unsafe, but will drive up testing costs.

"We would have to do more laps than is currently necessary just to bring the tyres up to a representative temperature," the Scot told ITV.

"I think it is a ludicrous idea to ban them," he added.

It is understood that F1's Technical Working Group originally proposed the ban as a way of slowing the cars, because Bridgestone will be forced to produce tyres able to operate at lower temperatures.

The blanket-less tyres will also be safer because they will be designed to not lose as much pressure during safety car periods, the TWG is understood to have also found.

Coulthard disagrees, recalling that running too-cold tyres may have contributed to Ayrton Senna's fatal crash in 1994.

Written: Wed, 12 Dec 2007 10:10:10