Pirelli will remain as exclusive tire supplier to the FIA Formula One World Championship for a further three years, once this season is completed. The Italian tire manufacturer and the FIA have renewed their current contract, which will now extend from 2017 to 2019.
This deal was completed over the winter, during which the FIA and Pirelli – in collaboration with the Teams – agreed important changes to the technical regulations. From 2017 there will be new technical regulations, including significant changes to the bodywork and wider tires.
To prepare for these major changes, Pirelli put forward the need to modify the sporting regulations regarding tire testing to the Teams and the FIA. The resulting modification now means that the following tire tests can take place this year:
1. Tests with 2012, 2013 or 2014-specification cars, using tires in the current size but with prototype elements (in the constructions or compounds) to prepare for 2017.
2. A total of 25 days of testing with modified 2015 cars, using prototype tires in 2017 size: 305/670-13 at the front and 405/670-13 at the rear (for slick tires).
The testing described in point one is already underway, based on an agreement with the FIA and the teams. The second type of testing (with tires in 2017 size) will start during the summer, according to a program that has been agreed between the FIA and the participating Teams.
