Pirelli ‘now in a position to nominate 2020-spec F1 tyres’

Pirelli’s head of F1 operations Mario Isola has confirmed it has completed sufficient testing to roll out its nominated specifications for the 2020 13-inch tyres.

Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull completed a combined total of 404 laps over the two-day test at Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona to provide Pirelli with the final chance to assess its 2020 tyre options.

The test required approval by the FIA World Motor Sport Council with a change in the sporting regulations.

Esteban Ocon was in action for Mercedes, in what is expected to be his final on-track action for the German manufacturer ahead of his move to Renault this winter, with Sebastian Vettel testing for Ferrari and Alexander Albon in action for Red Bull.

Isola has confirmed Pirelli has gained sufficient tyre data to lockdown its 2020 specifications for next season which are expected to have a wider operating range as requested by Formula 1 teams.

“We had a busy couple of days in Barcelona, alternately testing our 2020 tyres for both Formula 1 and Formula 2. On Monday, Sebastian Vettel completed 145 laps for Ferrari while Alex Albon drove 115 laps for Red Bull. On Tuesday, Esteban Ocon drove 144 laps for Mercedes, making a combined total of 404 laps over two days,” Isola said.

“In Formula 1, the aim of the test was to validate the latest specification of 13-inch 2020 tyres following the most recent guidelines agreed with the teams. We carried out plenty of running with the three top teams over two days, which enabled us to collect the data that we wanted.

“As a result, we are now in a position to nominate the 2020 specification. Many thanks to all three teams and drivers that took part. In Formula 2, we ran the 18-inch tyres as part of our scheduled test programme.”

From 2021 Pirelli introduces its all-new tyres with 18-inch wheels, along with smaller tweaks to tyre diameter and width, as part of the wider shake-up set to hit F1.