Michael Schumacher is refusing to let Pirelli off the hook after claiming their rubber is like driving "on raw eggs".
The seven-times world champion bemoaned the quality of the tyres this season following the Bahrain Grand Prix 16 days ago.
After the race Schumacher said: "The main thing I feel unhappy about is everyone has to drive well below a driver's, and in particular, the car's limits to maintain the tyres.
"I just question whether they should play such a big importance, or whether they should last a bit longer, and that you can drive at normal racing car speed and not cruise around like we have a safety car."
That prompted a disappointed reaction from Pirelli director of motorsport Paul Hembery who claimed other drivers were "getting on with the job and getting their tyres to work".
Schumacher, though, clearly has a grievance as he told CNN ahead of this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix.
Schumacher said: "They're playing a much too big effect because they are so peaky and so special that they don't put our cars or ourselves to the limit
"We drive like on raw eggs and I don't want to stress the tyres at all. Otherwise you just overdo it and you go nowhere."
Update:
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James Poulton
Definitely better from a spectator point of view Starting with a full tank of fuel makes cas way slower than the tires anyway You never know what will happen. It also lets appriciate the cars that are really on the limit towards the end when they are low on fuel and handle much better.
Lee Roddy
4:49pm on 8/5/2012
Stop moaning Michael. Just because you've been shown up in almost every race by your less experienced team mate. You only retired because you didn't have the best car anymore and couldn't win. You're just ordinary but unfortunately the stats say otherwise.