Photo: Pirelli
The world of Formula 1 is in a continuing change. The drivers change, the regulations change, the FIA changes, only Bernie keeps hanging on to the reins of his golden egg-laying goose.
The two biggest concerns regarding the changes Formula 1 are the advent of the halo safety device and 25 percent wider tires. While halos have been postponed for 2018, drawing the criticism of Lewis #Blessed Hamilton, wide tires are go for next year. Sebastian Vettel is the first Formula 1 driver to test the 2017 specification tires, both slicks and wets, on the race track.
The action took place today, August 1st, at the Fiorano circuit, the stomping ground of the Prancing Horse from Maranello. Haas F1 driver Estaban Gutierrez will take over tomorrow. The question is, how did the Ferrari SF15-T handle the 12 turns and 1.8-mile (3-kilometer) track with the new shoes? Well, look at the videos at the end of this article and think for yourself.
Formula 1 single-seaters competing in the current season of the king motorsport are shod in 245/660-13 and 325/660-13 slicks. For the 2017 Formula 1 season, we’re looking at an increase in section to 305/670-13 and 405/670-13. Intermediates will sport a diameter of 675 mm, while wet tires will measure 680 mm. And yes, that's freaking humongous.
Wider tread and encouraging lap times aside, just look at how cool the Cavallino Rampante looks equipped ultra-wide tires. It sort of reminds me of the golden days, when Formula 1 was more about driving talent and guts rather than a setting on the steering wheel and tire strategy. What's next?
According to Pirelli, tire tests will continue at Mugello with Red Bull Racing on August 3 and 4. Come September, Ferrari will once again help Pirelli develop the tires in Barcelona. Then the peeps at Mercedes-AMG Petronas will do the same at Paul Ricard and in Barcelona in late September and early October. Late October and throughout November, Pirelli and the three best-rated teams in Formula 1 will do their thing on the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi.
The 2017 Formula 1 tires will get their final validation on November 29.
The action took place today, August 1st, at the Fiorano circuit, the stomping ground of the Prancing Horse from Maranello. Haas F1 driver Estaban Gutierrez will take over tomorrow. The question is, how did the Ferrari SF15-T handle the 12 turns and 1.8-mile (3-kilometer) track with the new shoes? Well, look at the videos at the end of this article and think for yourself.
Formula 1 single-seaters competing in the current season of the king motorsport are shod in 245/660-13 and 325/660-13 slicks. For the 2017 Formula 1 season, we’re looking at an increase in section to 305/670-13 and 405/670-13. Intermediates will sport a diameter of 675 mm, while wet tires will measure 680 mm. And yes, that's freaking humongous.
Wider tread and encouraging lap times aside, just look at how cool the Cavallino Rampante looks equipped ultra-wide tires. It sort of reminds me of the golden days, when Formula 1 was more about driving talent and guts rather than a setting on the steering wheel and tire strategy. What's next?
According to Pirelli, tire tests will continue at Mugello with Red Bull Racing on August 3 and 4. Come September, Ferrari will once again help Pirelli develop the tires in Barcelona. Then the peeps at Mercedes-AMG Petronas will do the same at Paul Ricard and in Barcelona in late September and early October. Late October and throughout November, Pirelli and the three best-rated teams in Formula 1 will do their thing on the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi.
The 2017 Formula 1 tires will get their final validation on November 29.
Seb testing wet tyres at Fiorano #TestPirelli #Vettel pic.twitter.com/UA2eH8axgd
— Gianlu D'Alessandro (@Gianludale27) August 1, 2016
Here we are #Seb5 #Vettel #TestPirelli pic.twitter.com/aYexva989s
— Gianlu D'Alessandro (@Gianludale27) August 1, 2016
Seb again on track #TestPirelli pic.twitter.com/Rjh2IL2nrC
— Gianlu D'Alessandro (@Gianludale27) August 1, 2016
Another video of Seb on track at Fiorano #TestPirelli pic.twitter.com/6Gkq9spOg4
— Gianlu D'Alessandro (@Gianludale27) August 1, 2016
Vettel testing 2017 wet tyres #TestPirelli pic.twitter.com/eVlT3g8Eda
— Gianlu D'Alessandro (@Gianludale27) August 1, 2016
#TestPirelli #Vettel Last stint on wet tyres:
— Gianlu D'Alessandro (@Gianludale27) August 1, 2016
1:12.5
1:10.8
1:10.3
1:10.0
1:10.6
1:09.9
1:12.8 (in) pic.twitter.com/HUtzpjt0ch
More shots of Sebastian Vettel testing the 2017 wider Pirelli tyres, today at Fiorano.#F1 #Seb5 pic.twitter.com/q2iw1jSNOG
— Sebastian Vettel #5 (@sebvettelnews) August 1, 2016
Sebastian Vettel in action at Fiorano today with the 2017 wider Pirelli tyres.#F1 #Seb5 pic.twitter.com/MOyA99XLzA
— Sebastian Vettel #5 (@sebvettelnews) August 1, 2016
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