F1: Pirelli wants tire monitoring videos

Pirelli says having access to live video feeds of different parts of a Formula 1 car would be useful in identifying potential tire failures, after Nico Rosberg's Spa blowout.

Mercedes driver Rosberg had a spectacular right-rear tire failure during Friday's second practice for the Belgian Grand Prix. After a full investigation, Pirelli determined there was no structural integrity issue with its tires, suggesting the incident was consistent with an external cut into the tire structure.

Hembery said in this case, video footage was crucial to identifying what happened but suggested better access to video feeds, which some teams have, would beneficial.

"We didn't see any temperature increases or pressure loss in this case," Hembery told reporters after final practice. "What really gave the key indicator is the cameras, so that is what maybe you could look at in the future and have live cameras in all corners of the cars.

"Maybe that is something which can be considered. Maybe live feeds, which some teams have now of their different parts of the cars may have been useful. It's something you could have picked up maybe 4km before the incident."

Hembery pointed to a system used in Abu Dhabi that combs the Yas Marina circuit to pick up any debris as something which could be used at other tracks.

"Spa is a 7km circuit," said Hembery. "If you're looking for a proverbial needle in a haystack, you could be out there a long time.

"In Abu Dhabi they have an elaborate system to pick up track debris. You'd be surprised at what they pick up – the number of nuts, bolts, bits of metal."

When asked whether "smart" tires – rubber developed with built-in sensors to read track conditions and help spot potential failures – would have helped in this situation, Hembery said, "It possibly could have picked up the fact there was an issue a bit earlier."

Originally on Autosport.com