F1 shouldn’t panic over Pirelli deadline - Domenicali

Stefano Domenicali insists F1 should not panic over the unknown identity of next year’s official tyre supplier.

In Bahrain recently, Pirelli’s Paul Hembery denied Bernie Ecclestone’s claim that a new contract for the Italian marque is "all done".

"Time is of the essence, I would suggest now," he said instead, amid rumours Korean company Hankook might be interested in a 2014-16 FIA tender.

Hembery added: "I don’t particularly want to give deadlines but there is a time scale."

Amid strong criticism within the paddock this year of Pirelli’s highly degrading 2013 tyres, however, Ferrari team boss Domenicali urged against alarm.

"We can’t race without tyres unless we return to the time of the Flintstones," he is quoted as joking to Brazil’s Totalrace.

"I know that Pirelli has given clear signs of wanting to be with us in the future, which is positive, because there is no championship without tyres," added Domenicali.

"I am confident the situation will be resolved in the coming weeks."