FIA moves to stop tyre pressure loophole

As predicted by an F1 pundit, the FIA has quickly closed a loophole allowing teams to minimise tyre pressures.

It emerged after Baku that Mercedes and Red Bull were leading the charge with sophisticated axle heating equipment that allows tyres to be minimally inflated on the grid.

Jenson Button said on Friday that the minimum pressures demanded by Pirelli in Austria are "unbelievably high".

Marc Surer, a former F1 driver turned pundit for German television Sky, said: "But what the teams are doing to heat the whole assembly is highly costly.

"So I am sure the FIA will act and ban it for the forthcoming season. Another way would be to measure the pressures before the wheels are fitted."

Indeed, Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport reports that the FIA has done exactly that, informing teams that pressures will now be checked by Pirelli and the FIA before they are fitted to the cars.

The report said the new rule will apply as of Friday practice at the Red Bull Ring.