Pirelli have been granted permission to undertake legal tests with a current Formula One car after a number of tyre incidents during the British Grand Prix yesterday.
Lewis Hamilton, Felipe Massa, Jean-Eric Vergne, Esteban Gutierrez and Sergio Perez all suffered blowouts during the race, raising concerns over the safety of the drivers.
FIA restrictions usually prevent such tests from taking place, but president Jean Todt has decided to allow them on this occasion following a meeting with F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone and Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery.
"They (Pirelli) have complained in the past when these tyres have delaminated - which is certainly nothing to do with it (what happened yesterday)," Ecclestone told Press Association Sport.
"They've said they'd like to sort it out, but they don't have a chance to do any testing because of these bloody silly restrictions we have. But I spoke to Jean Todt over the weekend and he has said 'Let them test'.
"So he has allowed them to run two three-day tests between now and whenever they want, to try and do something for next year, as well as this year, so that's exactly what's going to happen."
Pirelli is scheduled to test at the Paul Ricard circuit in France next week, although it remains to be seen whether they will use a current car for this.
Barney Corkhill
