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From GMM
Italian tire manufacturer Pirelli can be ready to supply low-profile tires to formula one teams by 2016.
That is the claim of Pirelli director of motosport, Paul Hembery, in the wake of the test of the first 18-inch prototype at Silverstone last week.
Currently, the sport's old 13-inch standard is enshrined in the regulations, but both from an aesthetic point of view and also to bring F1 up-to-date with modern technology trends, a move to a lower profile tire is now being considered.
But, last week, reports suggested 18-inch tires are unlikely to feature on the grand prix grids until at least 2017.
Indeed, Hembery admitted that lower profile tires pose a development challenge, because the current 13-inch design is more resilient and easier to handle.
"The FIA is talking about the 2017 season," he is quoted by Russia's f1news.ru, "and I think the decision will be made this year.
"This is a realistic time frame, but if the teams want - and we will try - then we could implement these tires already in 2016.
"We're going to run 18 and 19-inch with GP2 cars," Hembery revealed, "but it will still require a lot of research."
Italian tire manufacturer Pirelli can be ready to supply low-profile tires to formula one teams by 2016.
That is the claim of Pirelli director of motosport, Paul Hembery, in the wake of the test of the first 18-inch prototype at Silverstone last week.
Currently, the sport's old 13-inch standard is enshrined in the regulations, but both from an aesthetic point of view and also to bring F1 up-to-date with modern technology trends, a move to a lower profile tire is now being considered.
But, last week, reports suggested 18-inch tires are unlikely to feature on the grand prix grids until at least 2017.
Indeed, Hembery admitted that lower profile tires pose a development challenge, because the current 13-inch design is more resilient and easier to handle.
"The FIA is talking about the 2017 season," he is quoted by Russia's f1news.ru, "and I think the decision will be made this year.
"This is a realistic time frame, but if the teams want - and we will try - then we could implement these tires already in 2016.
"We're going to run 18 and 19-inch with GP2 cars," Hembery revealed, "but it will still require a lot of research."