British Racing Drivers' Club president Derek Warwick and Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone have become involved in a war of words in the wake of the tyre fiasco that overshadowed yesterday's British Grand Prix.

Hampshire motor racing legend Warwick has accused Ecclestone, motor sport's world governing body the FIA and Italian tyre manufacturer Pirelli of bringing F1 into disrepute in light of the events that unfolded at Silverstone.

The lives of the drivers were at serious risk during a chaotic race at Silverstone where four, including Lewis Hamilton, were involved in high-speed blow-outs.

With chunks of rubber flying off in all directions, it was only by good fortune no driver, marshal or spectator was injured, or worse.

Warwick feels it is incumbent on Ecclestone, the FIA and Pirelli to now guarantee the safety of the drivers going forward for the remainder of the season.

Warwick, whose Club own and operate Silverstone, said: ''For me, Bernie, the FIA and Pirelli are bringing the sport into disrepute.''

He added: ''They need to have a serious look at themselves and change these tyres and not expect all the teams to agree.

''You will never get all of the teams to agree, so take it out of their hands and put safe tyres on these cars.

''Bernie is in charge of Formula 1, as are the FIA. They chose Pirelli and Pirelli are not living up to expectations.

''They have a responsibility to this sport to make sure we have a sport that is safe enough for drivers and spectators to participate in.''

In response, Ecclestone has dismissed Warwick's accusations, notably pointing an accusing finger back at Silverstone following the chaos that unfolded at last year's event.

Given the horrendous weather conditions, car parks were closed to protect the land and fans were stuck in traffic jams.

Circuit bosses even took the unprecedented decision of asking fans to stay away on Saturday and miss qualifying to give the fields used for parking a chance to recover ahead of race day.

''It's only his opinion,'' said Ecclestone, speaking to Press Association Sport.

''People can think what they like, but it isn't what happened. We didn't bring the sport into disrepute.

''I tell you what brought the sport into disrepute, what happened last year with the cars when people took four and five hours to get in and out of the circuit.

''That brought the sport into disrepute, for sure. That's a matter of fact. That's not speculation, that's not an opinion. It's a fact.''