MILAN (AP) Formula One tiremaker Pirelli has concluded that Sebastian Vettel’s shredded tire last weekend at the end of the British Grand Prix was caused by a slow puncture.
The Ferrari driver appeared to be heading for third place at Silverstone until his front left tire suddenly blew apart two laps from the finish. The four-time F1 champion managed to steer his Ferrari back to the pits for a tire change, and secured seventh place to cling onto his championship lead.
British driver Lewis Hamilton won the race to cut Vettel’s overall lead to one point.
”A full investigation has now confirmed that the original cause of the failure was a slow puncture,” Italian manufacturer Pirelli said in a statement.