Pirelli boss Paul Hembery has hit back at comments from Fernando Alonso criticising the performance of their tyres.

Alonso starts the Korean Grand Prix from fifth on the grid and although he pointed to his Ferrari's lack of pace, he also suggested that the tyres did not help – a point which Hembery did not agree with.

He told Reuters: "Of course, Alonso is one of the great F1 drivers, so to hear such comments is disappointing and below the standards you would expect from such a champion.

"I can only suggest he goes to ask the soon-to-be four-times champion how to get the best from the same tyres."

Pirelli did come under fire earlier this season after a succession of tyre failures at the British Grand Prix.