6 Jul 2013

F1 drivers threaten boycott of German Grand Prix

9:39 am on 6 July 2013

Formula One drivers have threatened to boycott Sunday night's German Grand Prix if there is a repeat of the tyre failures experienced at Silverstone last weekend.

The Grand Prix Drivers' Association, which represents the vast majority of drivers, issued a statement at the Nurburgring today saying the drivers wanted to express their "deepest concerns".

The GPDA added: "If similar problems manifest themselves at the German GP, they shall immediately withdraw."

Six drivers suffered failures during the British Grand Prix - Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari drivers Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso, Toro Rosso's Jean-Eric Vergne, Sauber's Esteban Gutierrez and McLaren's Sergio Perez.

Tyre supplier Pirelli has produced a tyre of a different design for this weekend's race in an attempt to solve the problem.