Pirelli threatens to quit F1 over testing

Greater Noida (India) (AFP) - Pirelli has warned it may be forced to quit Formula One if it is not given enough time to test its tyres before new engines are introduced next season, reports said.

Paul Hembery, motorsport director of Formula One's official supplier, said Pirelli wouldn't be able to provide tyres if there were no tests before the end of this year.

The Italian manufacturer wants to try out the tyres before cars roll out with their new turbo motors, ordered in a shake-up of engine specifications, in official testing late January in Spain.

"It (testing) must be able to run before the end of the year otherwise we cannot make the tyres in time for the first test at Jerez," Hembery told reporters at the Indian Grand Prix.

"We have to do some testing, if we can't then we'll not be able to provide the tyres," he added.

Hembery said discussions had started towards finding a solution but he admitted that a pre-Christmas test was a long shot.

"Clearly we would love to have a 2014 car in December -- that's what we'd really like. If you asked me what we really need, that's what we really need. We can't have that."

Pirelli's tyres have been criticised for being too fragile this year, especially early in the season, after rapid disintegration and several blow-outs.

Motorsports governing body the FIA recently announced Pirelli will continue in the sport beyond 2013, but no formal contract has been signed.

French tyre giant Michelin has also indicated it was interested in a return to F1, but it may be too late for it to step in time for 2014 should Pirelli pull out.

The final race of the year is in Brazil in late November, limiting the testing window.