Italian Formula One tire supplier Pirelli was asked on Sunday to attend a hastily-arranged meeting of the International Motoring Federation Formula One Sporting Working Group in Paris on Wednesday.

The FIA demanded its presence after there were four tire blowouts during Sunday's British Grand Prix provoking outrage from all the drivers including Britain's 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton.

The 28-year-old had seen the chances of only his second win in his home race shattered when his left rear tire deflated after just eight laps - he re-emerged after the enforced pit stop in last place and produced a masterful drive to finish fourth.

He and his fellow drivers said the four tire failures were "unacceptable".

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 07/02/2013 page22)