MICHAEL SCHUMACHER HAS continued his attack on tyre manufacturer Pirelli, complaining that racing with their product is like ‘driving on raw eggs’.
Pirelli received heavy criticism from Schumacher following last month’s Bahrain Grand Prix when the German Formula One great suggested drivers were forced to conserve their tyres because of quicker degradation.
Fellow drivers have refused to be drawn into the debate, instead focusing on this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix.
But Schumacher is adamant the situation needs to be addressed.
“I just think that they’re playing a much too big effect because they are so peaky and so special that they don’t put our cars or ourselves to the limit,” the seven-time world champion told CNN.
“We drive like on raw eggs and I don’t want to stress the tyres at all. Otherwise you just overdo it and you go nowhere.”
Pirelli have hit back at Schumacher’s claims, insisting tyre production is tailored according to the requests of Formula One bosses. The Italian-based company also argued their tyres ensure eventful races.
“We are pushing the limits,” said Pirelli director Paul Hembery. ”It’s a very, very aggressive approach that we took. It’s what we were asked to do. We were asked to bring challenges to the teams and this is what we’ve done.”
Unlucky
Despite negativity surrounding the tyres, Schumacher believes Mercedes can build on Nico Rosberg’s victory in China earlier this season and enjoy more success.
“We have luckily got one win under our belt,” he said. ”I was a bit unlucky in that race as we could have got a 1-2 without doubt, but it proves that we have made a huge step because you have to consider where we came from last year – it was not what we were really looking for.”
“I am pretty sure we can have other good races this year – being on the podium and maybe being on top of the podium.”
