Pirelli have today announced they are prepared to introduce 18-inch wheels and ‘smart tyres’ to F1 should Liberty Media and the FIA want to implement them.
The Italian tyre company’s current three-year deal runs out at the end of the 2019 season. They have been the solitary tyre supplier since 2011. The current wheel sizes in F1 are 13 inches, but Pirelli have confirmed they’re ready to face any regulation change.
“We are open, obviously they have to find the right regulations and the teams [are] ready to adopt it,” said Pirelli’s CEO Marco Tronchetti Provera.
If they are to change the size of the wheels a number of different factors will need to be changed on the car. One of the biggest changes would be the suspension. He went on to say if F1 would like the changes, plenty of testing will be required.
“We obviously need testing cars. They have to develop [different] cars for 18 inches. The shock absorption between suspension and tyres, different shoulders, different sizes, everything has to be tested and it takes time,” continued Tronchetti Provera.
Pirelli believe they are ready should F1 want to introduce ‘smart tyres’. ‘Smart tyres’ include sensors inside the rubber allowing teams access to instant tyre performance data.
“I think that if it helps the sporting aspect, we are ready also with sensors.”
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