NOVEMBER 27, 2015

No testing, no tyres for 2017 rules

Pirelli is waiting on support from the rest of the F1 paddock before confirming how it will proceed in F1 beyond 2016.

Pirelli is waiting on support from the rest of the F1 paddock before confirming how it will proceed in F1 beyond 2016.

The Italian marque has already secured a new contract for 2017-2019, but the sport is planning a radical change of direction after next year, featuring much faster and more aggressive cars.

"As far as I know, the strategy group and the F1 Commission are satisfied with the results of our work," said Williams' Pat Symonds, who has been deeply involved with the technical working group in writing up the new 2017 rules.

He admitted: "There are different views about the speed of the new cars, as was the case in 2008 as well, but we will move forward," he added.

Some of the laptime will come from Pirelli's bigger tyres, but the bulk will be aerodynamic improvements such as bigger wings and better diffusers, Symonds explained.

Pirelli, however, is demanding much more testing before 2017, as the tyres will need to be radically different and capable of producing more grip and withstanding much higher loads.

"Our requests will be granted," Pirelli's Paul Hembery told UOL Esporte, "because otherwise there will not be tyres.

"So we are going to have to find a solution, because otherwise there won't be a championship in 2017 as it will be impossible to do what has been asked.

"There are many issues involved - some political, some financial - but we have to find a solution," he insisted.

(GMM)