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F1 in 2017: A first look at the sport's future with Ferrari tyre testing

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Image: Not sure what Formula 1 will look like in 2017? Here's a first glimpse...

Ferrari and Red Bull offered us a first glimpse of Formula 1's future with their testing of Pirelli's new wider tyres - so, take a look...

Image: Ferrari used a modified SF15-T - with a wider front and rear wing - to test the tyres
Image: Spot the difference: Sebastian Buemi returned to F1 action in a modified RB11

The compounds, which are around 25 per cent wider than the current spec, will be introduced next season as part of the sport's technical shake-up and are set for an extensive testing schedule.

Ferrari
Image: Sebastian Vettel heads out onto the Fiorano track for the first day of testing

Ferrari kicked off that schedule at Fiorano this week, with Sebastian Vettel and Esteban Gutierrez sharing the duties in a modified car on Monday and Tuesday.

Pirelli 2017 tyre test schedule

Session Date Circuit Car Tyres
1 Aug 1-2 Fiorano FER Wets
2 Aug 3-4 Mugello RBR Slicks
3 Sep 6-7 Barcelona FER Slicks
4 Sep 6-7-8 Paul Ricard MER Slicks
5 Sep 21-22 Paul Ricard MER Wets
6 Oct 12-13 Barcelona MER Slicks
7 Oct 14-15-16 Abu Dhabi RBR Slicks
8 Nov 2-3 Abu Dhabi RBR Wets
9 Nov 14-15-16 Abu Dhabi FER Slicks
10 Nov 29 Abu Dhabi ALL Final valid
Image: Slicks were used in the morning as Ferrari kicked off the extensive test schedule...

The SF15-T, used by the Italian outfit in 2015, was modified to simulate the 2017 rule-changes with a wider front wing and rear wing, and in total 285 laps were completed over the first two days of testing. Slicks were used in the morning sessions before wets and intermediates were introduced on the artificially watered track. 

Image: ... wets and intermediates were then introduced on the artificially dampened track

Red Bull's Sebastian Buemi - the Formula E champion - then completed two days of testing in Mugello.

Image: Formula E champion Buemi completed two days of testing for Red Bull in Mugello

Next year the front tyres will increase from 245mm to 305mm, while the rears will go from 325mm to 405mm. They are aimed at cutting up to four seconds per lap.

Also See:

2017 changes to tyres

2016 2017
Front tyres 245mm 305mm
Rear tyres 325mm 405mm
Diameter 660mm 670mm
Image: The 2017 tyres are around 25 per cent wider than the current spec

So, does bigger mean better in Formula 1?

Ferrari
Image: The major technical shake-up is on its way... and it's looking retro!

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