Lewis Hamilton has joined a growing list of drivers complaining about the high degredation levels of the Pirelli tyres.
This, despite his boss Martin Whitmarsh, calling on drivers to be ‘more careful’ when expressing their displeasure.
The McLaren driver believes the sport will be slower this season as a result of the tyres low durability.
“There is more to think about in the car. But Formula One does seem to have slowed down,” he told the Guardian.
“The cars are slower on a race distance. Last year we had to make the tyres last with heavier fuel loads and now it’s even slower.”
Hamilton has first-hand experience with the Pirelli tyres having completed several test days with McLaren’s new MP4-25. The 26-year-old admitted his laps were ‘painfully slow’ as he was unable to push the car without the tyres going off.
“I did a run the other day and it was painfully slow, it really was. [It’s] just not exciting to be honest,” he added.
“The first run – I didn’t think I was pushing very hard – and the tyres were finished after nine laps, down to the canvas. On the next run, I had to go easier. It was almost like doing an out lap and just about made it to 15 or 16 on a soft tyre.”
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