ITALIAN manufacturer Pirelli has come in for considerable criticism this season, and the images from the British Grand Prix will further damage their floundering reputation.

Pirelli are still to negotiate a new contract from next year as their initial three-season supply deal, that began in 2011 following the withdrawal from F1 of Bridgestone, expires at the end of this year.

The recent controversial test at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya in the middle of last month, in conjunction with Mercedes, earned them a reprimand following an International Tribunal hearing.

The powers-that-be at Pirelli may be wondering whether it is worth their while continuing, in particular given the lack of support they have so far been given in terms of trying to develop new tyres for next year, given the significant change to the engine regulations.

Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery was unwilling to offer any early explanation for the cause of the failures, insisting matters needed to be analysed.

“It was something unforeseen,” said Hembery.

“We’ve seen something new, a different type of problem. It was one tyre, at the rear, so we need to understand.

“We are currently performing, as ever, our analysis. We have to go away and understand what has happened today.

“When we’ve got the facts then we can understand and get to the core of the issue.

“We need to analyse it properly to give the correct reply.”