F1 in 2017: A first look at the sport's future with Ferrari tyre testing
Wednesday 17 August 2016 11:45, UK
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...
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 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.
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.
Red Bull's Sebastian Buemi - the Formula E champion - then completed two days of testing 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.
So, does bigger mean better in Formula 1?
