Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Webber Predicts More Tyre Problems

Williams driver Mark Webber expects more accidents like the one that robbed McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen of victory at the European Grand Prix

"I think unfortunately it will not be the last one we see," said Webber of Raikkonen's accident, which was caused by a suspension failure on the final lap of the Nurburgring race.

The failure was triggered by an uneven tyre which was causing a strong vibration.

"We will see another moment where someone has a problem with a tyre in the race. Fortunately he [Raikkonen] didn't hit Jenson," added Webber, referring to Raikkonen's car missing Jenson Button's BAR by inches.

Webber, a member of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, was critical of the governing body, claiming the FIA never listen to what the drivers have to say.

"The drivers' opinions are not very important anyway, because we never get listened to," Webber told reporters in Canada. "Nothing changes really. We will definitely be talking about it this weekend.

"Charlie [Whiting, FIA safety delegate] is very professional when it comes to listening to the drivers, but when it comes to big, big changes like changes to regulations...

"I personally think running a race on one set of tyre in some cases will be more dangerous for the driver. We have an option to change tyres but, like Kimi, when you are leading the race of course you are not going to stop.

"Kimi's thing was good for TV, people love that sort of stuff, but at the end of the day there is still a human strapped into the car.

"We will do the best we can for the team, when the helmets are on we are not going to come in if we are totally in the shit with the tyres because it would wreck the whole afternoon for the team. If there was one tyre company there would not be a problem.

"I am impressed by the way the tyre companies are handling it, I thought it would be an absolute joke. I don't like to talk about what could happen, but every driver in the pitlane would say it is more risky. That is absolutely clear."

Be part of the Autosport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Raikkonen "Should have Played Safe"
Next article Webber Not Worried by BMW Talk

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe