Pirelli has responded to the problems at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix by announcing they will be testing a new rear construction of tyre during practice for the Austrian Grand Prix next Friday. 

The Italian tyre company has been under the spotlight following two high-speed failures at the Baku circuit almost three weeks ago. 

Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll was the first to fall victim to it on lap 31. He was followed by race leader Max Verstappen with five laps to go as both men suffered left rear failures and hit the barriers at huge speed. 

If the new rear tyres prove to be working well after the tests next week, Pirelli plan on introducing them from the British Grand Prix onwards. Read their full statement below. 

''Pirelli, in agreement with the FIA, Formula 1 and the teams, will test a new rear construction of tyre in free practice at the Austrian Grand Prix on Friday 2 July to evaluate its effectiveness to further improve robustness of the tyres.  

''This decision has been taken in addition to the recently issued technical directive and the latest starting parameters prescribed by Pirelli, in light of the fact that it is not currently possible to monitor running conditions in real time. This will remain the case until next year, when standard Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensors will be introduced across all teams. 

''Next Friday, each driver will have two sets of these new tyres available for use during either free practice session. If the test is successful, the new rear specification will be introduced from the British Grand Prix onwards, replacing the current specification. The new rear construction incorporates some elements that have been developed for use in the latest 18-inch Formula 1 tyres from 2022. 

''With this new structure Pirelli provides a tyre that can guarantee even greater levels of integrity under the extreme conditions that can be generated by the current cars.''