Pirelli: External cut the likely cause of Rosberg failure

Pirelli’s overnight investigations into Nico Rosberg’s right-rear tyre deflation in Friday practice at Spa-Francorchamps have concluded that an external cut was the most likely cause.

“There are no signs of structural integrity issue of the tyre, neither on other tyres used by Mercedes nor on tyres used on other vehicles,” read a Pirelli statement.

“Video footage shows a tyre problem on Rosberg’s car which is consistent with an external cut into the tyre structure. Quality data check on other tyres has shown no anomalies.”

The tyre on Rosberg’s F1 W06 Hybrid deflated at high speed midway through FP2, plunging the German into a spin approaching Blanchimont and bringing an end to his Friday running. He topped the times nonetheless.