( CNN ) -- Formula One drivers threatened to boycott the German GP this weekend if the tire problems which blighted the British round at Silverstone are repeated . The Grand Prix Drivers ' Association ( GPDA ) issued a statement after a meeting Thursday to `` express their deepest concerns '' over the events Sunday which saw five drivers , including race leader Lewis Hamilton , suffer high speed blow outs . Manufacturer Pirelli promised prompt action after the chaotic scenes and new tires will be used , which feature a Kevlar belt rather than the steel one previously used , apparently offering better protection from punctures . Teams have also been banned from tire swapping and have been told to adhere to limits on tire pressures . `` We trust that the changes made to the tires will have the desired results and that similar problems will not occur during the German GP weekend , '' said the GPDA . `` We are ready to drive our cars to the limit , as we always do , and as it is expected by our teams , sponsors and fans . '' Aside from Hamilton , who battled back to fourth place behind victorious Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg , Felipe Massa , Jean-Eric Vergne , Sergio Perez and Esteban Gutierrez were also affected , with four of the drivers suffering the same left rear tire blow out . The stars of the grid said that if similar events manifested themselves at Nurburgring then they would not hesitate to pull out of the race . `` We shall immediately withdraw from the event , as this avoidable problem with the tires endangers again the lives of drivers , marshals and fans , '' ended the statement . Earlier , Ferrari ace Fernando Alonso , who narrowly avoided serious injury when debris from Perez 's puncture nearly hit him at high speed , said he was keeping his fingers crossed that the problems will be eradicated by the new measures introduced by Pirelli . `` At the moment , we ca n't make any predictions , because no one has tried them and we do n't know what and how many benefits they can bring , apart from trusting in the fact that it wo n't be dangerous to race , `` he told the official Ferrari website . `` Let 's hope that means all drivers can race in safe conditions , '' he added . Alonso , second in the title race , will be hoping the triple defending champion Sebastian Vettel will extend his run of failing to win his home grand prix , despite his incredible success of recent seasons in the Red Bull . The 26-year-old German secured his first podium finish in F1 at the 2009 race but has not improved on that result . `` Surely , it is special , '' he said . `` In terms of championship points , it is the same as every other place , but it is something special to race in front of your home crowd , '' he told the official F1 website . Friday sees the first practice runs on the famous circuit and the first chance to see if any further tire problems arise after last Sunday 's worrying scenes .
F1 drivers threaten to boycott British GP over tire safety . Their association expresses grave concerns over events at Pirelli . five drivers suffered tire failures in the Red Bull . Fernando Alonso says they have to place trust in tire manufacturer Silverstone .