After Red Bull claimed that several F1 teams injected water into their tires during Singapore Grand Prix over the weekend, Formula 1 tire supplier Pirelli launched an investigation to verify the claims. Pirelli has concluded its review, confirming that no evidence was found to support the allegations.

Concerns have arisen that certain teams may have developed a method of cooling their tires mid-race by injecting water through the valvetrain. This speculation intensified after moisture was detected in the wheel rims when the tires were removed after the Marina Bay Grand Prix.

In response, FIA single-seater technical chief Nikolas Tombazis reportedly discussed the issue with Pirelli during the Brazilian Grand Prix and oversaw tire checks after the Interlagos sprint race. According to the official control report, all tires examined after the sprint were found to be in full compliance with the regulations, eliminating any immediate doubts.

Revealing the findings of the investigation, Mario Isola, Pirelli’s head of F1 and motor racing, told the MEDIA:

“I can’t see anything strange from the data we have. I have no proof.

“Obviously, as I said, it’s up to the FIA ​​now to decide what to do and tell us if we can support because at the end of the day, the only thing we can do is support them.

“If there’s anything we can do to check or advise them on a possible situation, we’re here to support you.

“I’m not aware of any problem, but I heard the story and tried to understand why it should be done, which I now have an idea. But for the rest, everything is in the hands of the FIA.”

Isola added that while it’s easy to inject water into tires, several factors come into play that affect tire pressure. He explained:

“How to do this is very easy.

“You have a valve – and you just put water in.

“But how the system works is another story. It’s basically a thermal effect: heat transfer between the tire and the rim that should give more consistency or less degradation to the tire, even if you have worse pressure control.

“Obviously, if you have steam inside the tire, you lose pressure control because you have more pressure.”

The Pirelli official confirmed that the tires are filled with dry air before being passed on to the teams, and any manipulation by adding water would violate a technical directive established several years ago. He added:

“TD came a few years ago when there was a discussion on this.

“There was also a discussion about special gases, where it was suggested that some teams were changing the gas in the tire to better control the pressure.

“Then someone started talking about moisture in the tire and why we should have more or less.

“We deliver tires with dry air inside. We have a dryer connected to our system and they get all the tires with dry air as per regulation.

“In the technical directive it says that any modification to it is prohibited and it is quite clear. But then you have to have a clear proof if you have such a situation.”