How wide? A whopping 25 per cent bigger than the compounds they’re running on this year’s F1 cars.
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Pirelli has released the first images of its wider 2017 tyres attached to a vehicle on track after Ferrari’s SF15-T commenced the manufacturer’s extensive testing programme for next year.
Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport reports that on a 2015 Ferrari, modified to produce more downforce, the wider Pirellis with a wet compound will make their debut on the artificially-watered Fiorano layout.
Next year’s tires are 25 percent wider than those now in use and, with the higher downforce levels created by new aerodynamic rules, Pirelli has worked with the FIA and the teams to create a dedicated testing schedule.
The tests are completely blind, with each of the three teams involved in Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes -the latter next to test in September at Paul Ricard – not given information on what they are testing by Pirelli and the FIA.
The new tyres are 305mm wide at the front and 405mm at the rear, 60mm and 80mm wider respectively than in 2016.
The four-time World Champion will be relieved of his testing duties on Tuesday, which will be handled by Haas driver Esteban Gutierrez in a SF15-T.
Red Bull will be the first team to complete a major test of the dry weather compound when they demo the rubber at Mugello Wednesday and Thursday.
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The program started today with Vettel conducting a few dry shakedown laps with the “mule” vehicle before focusing on wet running on the artificially soaked track.
