Formula 1 tire supplier Pirelli got its testing programme for its wider, faster 2017 tires underway at Fiorano today, with Sebastian Vettel at the wheel of a modified version of Ferrari’s SF15-T.
The tests will be conducted on an artifically dampened circuit, as Pirelli investigate how the 25% increase in tire width affects the behaviour and performance of their intermediate and wet compounds. The Fiorano trial is part of a wider testing programme which will incorporate 10 dates and three teams – Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes – as Pirelli ramps up preparations for next year. All data from the tests will be shared will all teams.
While Vettel completed a few installation laps on slick tires (above), Red Bull will be the first team to properly trial Pirelli’s 2017 slicks during a two-day test at Mugello, Italy, on August 3-4.
Pirelli have already run a separate test programme to trial different materials and structures for their tires earlier this year.
