Coulthard concerned about tyre warmers ban in 2009

Formula One veteran, David Coulthard, has concerns that the ban of tyre warmers in 2009 will have serious safety implications. Coulthard fears that the large temperature differentials between the tyres on cars that have had time to get up to full operating speed, and those just out of the pits and warming up, could lead to dangerous variations in the speed of cars on track.

Talking to our colleagues of autosport, Coulthard said: "I am quite concerned about the temperature differential between the cars, especially in qualifying. I have talked to quite a few drivers about it and they all shared the same opinion that without the blankets (tyre warmers), when a car from the pits joins the track when other cars are on a hot lap, it is pretty scary. There is such a big difference of speed."

The Scotsman also thinks the dangers are increased because the lower temperature of fresh tyres on a car will result in a loss of tyre pressure. The situation reminds him of the fatal crash of Ayrton Senna as it was believed that low tyre pressure after a slow safety car period would have contributed to the accident.

"Don't forget the different tyre pressures. The tyres are operating in a very different temperature range, and we are talking about some cars with 20psi and others that have just 14psi. This is another Senna situation."

"It is a serious concern for safety. I am planning to talk it through in the GPDA. There are not more meetings this year, but in the new year this issue has to be discussed."