Pirelli reveals wider 2017 F1 tyres

Pirelli, the official tyre supplier for Formula 1 have revealed the wider spec tyres for the 2017 F1 season at the 2016 Monaco Grand Prix.

The 2017 F1 season will see a new set of technical regulations and changes in the sport. The new rules will add more aerodynamic downforce in addition to wider tyres. Working in tandem to the aerodynamic modifications, the new tyres will provide a wider track and footprint increasing the grip available to the drivers. This will invariably help for faster lap times. The new Pirelli PZero tyres will provide better performance during corners and acceleration. The objective of the changes are to achive a drop of upto four seconds in lap times.

The new tyre sizes are 305/670-R13 for the front, and 405/670-R13 at the rear. The front tyres are 60mm wider than the current tyres being supplied by Pirelli, while the rear tyres are 80mm wider. The diameter of the wheel will remain the same at 13 inches. The changes will affect all three types, (slicks, intermediates and full wet) of tyres.

Due to the new tyre changes, Pirelli have requested additional testing before the season that will include tests with 2012, 2013, or 2014 spec cars for the prototype tyres to prepare for 2017. A total of 25 days of testing with modified cars have been set for the new prototype tyres, which will start in early August which has been agreed upon the participating teams.