Tyre debris a worry in F1

Formula One’s new sole supplier Pirelli has said it will seek to reduce the amount of toffee-like debris shed by its tyres during races after some drivers expressed concern. The Italian company added in a statement at the Chinese Grand Prix on Thursday that the slippery ‘marbles’ left behind on the track posed no danger for competitors or spectators.

“The faster tyre wear compared to previous years can lead to strips of rubber being deposited on the track,which vary in size but are generally the shape and consistency of toffees,” Pirelli said. “These strips are pliable when warm but become more rigid when they cool down,just like toffee.”

These rubber ‘marbles’ have always existed in Formula One,but the characteristics of Pirelli’s new compounds mean that the pieces are on average larger and softer than the hard and round ‘marbles’ that have been seen at grands prix in the past.

Pirelli has replaced Bridgestone as sole supplier this season with tyres that degrade far quicker than the previous Japanese rubber. The downside has been much more residue deposited on the circuit.