Pirelli called to account by FIA

Italian Formula One tyre suppliers Pirelli were asked today to attend a hastily-arranged meeting of the International Motoring Federation (FIA) Formula One Sporting Working Group in Paris on Wednesday.

The FIA demanded their presence after there were four tyre blowouts during Sunday’s British Grand Prix provoking outrage from all the drivers including Britain’s 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton.

The 28-year-old had seen the chances of only his second win in his home race shattered when his left rear tyre deflated after just eight laps – he re-emerged after the enforced pit stop in last place and produced a masterful drive to finish fourth.

He and his fellow drivers said the four tyre failures were “unacceptable”.

There will be little time to sort the problem out as the next race is the German Grand Prix at the Nurburgring on July 7.