World champion Sebastian Vettel has called on Pirelli to consider a fundamentally different approach to its role as F1 tyre supplier.
The ’T-word’ has been the buzz of the paddock throughout 2013 so far, and the controversy came to a head after Barcelona, when tempers flared over the widespread four-stop strategies.
Following rampant criticism, mainly from Red Bull and Mercedes, Pirelli announced it would make changes for next month and beyond, but Lotus and Ferrari hit back, supported by the FIA who insist any changes should be minimal.
F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone backs his sport’s Italian partner.
"I asked Pirelli to make tyres that would not complete 50 per cent of a race — meaning we need pitstops," he told F1’s official website this week.
"And that’s what they did."
Ecclestone said problems have arisen because Pirelli’s task is "very, very difficult" given race-to-race differences in circuit, temperatures, cars and driver styles.
For once, however, Red Bull’s world champion Vettel disagrees completely with his backgammon rival.
"It is not just about considering changing one ingredient in the recipe," the German told Kicker magazine. "It’s more about the recipe itself."