Pirelli insists 2014 F1 tires safe

Pirelli says the safety of its 2014 Formula 1 tires is not in question despite the blowout that forced Mercedes to end its Bahrain test early on Thursday.

German driver Nico Rosberg suffered the blowout at 200mph, which made him spin on the main straight. Although he did not hit anything, the car needed repairs and Mercedes had to call it a day earlier than planned.

Pirelli said, however, that the tires Rosberg was using were just prototypes, which were "innovative in terms of structure and compounds, with the aim of developing the most suitable solutions for the next season." The tire had only been tested in the laboratory and will not be proposed again, Pirelli said.

"The safety of the tires which will be supplied for the next championship is not in question," said the Italian manufacturer in a statement. "The accident which happened to Rosberg's car is being investigated and the findings will be communicated to the FIA and the teams."