Pirelli Looking for Updated F1 Car for 2011 Testing

Pirelli has so far tested their new Formula 1 tires using the single-seater developed by Toyota a couple of years back, namely the TF109. Nevertheless, since the first stage in tire development has ended, the Italian tire maker is now considering switching to a more updated challenger for their 2011 testing programme.

Needless to say, that's the result of the several technical modifications underwent by the F1 cars in recent years. The 2011 machines will now feature the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) and adjustable rear wings, which will undoubtedly affect the behavior of the tires (as these two elements will lead to increased forces applied to the new compound).

According to Italian magazine Autosprint, Pirelli has decided, internally, that it needs a modern F1 car rather than a "hybrid" solution to test their 2011 compound.

Some solutions have been forwarded by the Italian company already, but almost all rejected on several grounds. One implied Toyota taking their former TF109 car and further developing it to 2011 standards in the wind tunnel, but needless to say the Japanese manufacturer did not like the idea due to the costs involved in such a project.

Another solution was asking one of the current F1 teams to make their car available for Pirelli testing throughout the 2011 season, but that was also scrapped due to potential favoritism claims coming from the other competitors.

According to the aforementioned source, it has now come down to two solutions within the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA), the body that has to be consulted before a decision is made: either one external team will build and provide Pirelli with a modern F1 car based on the expertise coming from a current F1 team, or Pirelli will hold 7 testing meetings throughout the year, alternatively using cars from the Top 7 teams in the manufacturers' classification.