The latest auto news, reviews, prices, product and vehicle releases. Jul
13th
Stay connected Subscribe to our RSS feed
The new 18-inch tire seen for the first time earlier this week at Silverstone would be a "huge challenge", according to Lotus technical director Nick Chester.
Lotus test driver Charles Pic completed 14 laps with the new tire fitted to his Lotus E22, and he aggrees.
"The bigger size meant we had to trim the floor and change the ride height to adapt to the different loaded radius of the tires," Chester is quoted saying by NBC Sports.
"Some of the suspension set up also had to be modified, such as the cambers. These were very basic revisions to enable Pirelli to evaluate the concept for the future and see what the bigger wheels look like on the car.
"Having 18-inch tires would have a big impact on design," he added. "We would want to be testing in the wind tunnel for at least a year ahead of their introduction.
"The ride height and suspension packages would have to be changed and the tire profile itself would be very different. It would be an interesting challenge
All 11 teams must agree before the 18-inch tire can be introduced, which cannot be before 2016.
Lotus test driver Charles Pic completed 14 laps with the new tire fitted to his Lotus E22, and he aggrees.
"The bigger size meant we had to trim the floor and change the ride height to adapt to the different loaded radius of the tires," Chester is quoted saying by NBC Sports.
"Some of the suspension set up also had to be modified, such as the cambers. These were very basic revisions to enable Pirelli to evaluate the concept for the future and see what the bigger wheels look like on the car.
 |
| Charles Pic, Lotus E22 with 18-inch tires (Photo: WRi2) |
"Having 18-inch tires would have a big impact on design," he added. "We would want to be testing in the wind tunnel for at least a year ahead of their introduction.
"The ride height and suspension packages would have to be changed and the tire profile itself would be very different. It would be an interesting challenge
All 11 teams must agree before the 18-inch tire can be introduced, which cannot be before 2016.