Pirelli reveals its testing program for 2017

Pirelli has given details of its development program for the wide tires which will be used in F1 in 2017. The supplier of the discipline will carry out ten test sessions on five circuits: in Fiorano (Italy), Mugello (Italy), Barcelona (Spain), Paul-Ricard (Var) and Abu Dhabi.

The Italian manufacturer will carry out its first session on Monday August 1 and Tuesday August 2 on the wet Fiorano circuit with a Ferrari Modified SF15-T which will test rain and intermediate tires. Red Bull will test the slick tires the following two days at Mugello. The month of September will include three sessions held in Barcelona and Le Castellet, Mercedes participating in his first session from Tuesday 6 to Thursday 8 at Paul-Ricard. All teams will take part in the final session scheduled for the end of November on the Yas Marina circuit.

Pirelli is already carrying out tests with current size tires but with new compounds since last May. After the first tests carried out with Scuderia Ferrari at Fiorano, Red Bull continued the program the following month at Paul-Ricard. After the Mercedes tests at Silverstone on Tuesday July 12 and Wednesday July 13, a new session with Ferrari will follow on the 16th of the same month at Fiorano with grooved tires. Slicks will once again be in the spotlight on Sunday July 18 and Monday July 19 in Vallelunga (Spain). The teams participating in the tests will be obliged to share their information with the other teams.

The 2017 tires will be widened by 60mm at the front to go from 245 to 305mm, while the rear tires will gain 80mm to go from 325 to 405mm. The 2017 tires will therefore be 25% wider.

Pirelli 2017 tire testing schedule

August 1-2 – Fiorano – Ferrari – Grooved
August 3-4 – Mugello – Red Bull – Slicks
September 6-7 – Barcelona – Ferrari – Slicks
September 6-8 – Paul-Ricard – Mercedes – Slicks
September 21-22 – Paul-Ricard – Mercedes – Grooved
October 12-13 – Barcelona – Mercedes – Slicks
October 14-16 – Abu Dhabi – Red Bull – Slicks
November 2-3 – Abu Dhabi – Red Bull – Grooved
November 14-16 – Abu Dhabi – Ferrari – Slicks
November 29 – Abu Dhabi – All