F1: Pirelli confirms 18-inch tyre tests schedule

Formula One’s tyre supplier, Pirelli has confirmed details of its testing schedule for the new 18-inch tyres which are being introduced for the 2022 F1 season. Nine of Formula 1’s 10 teams are scheduled to participate in the tests, except Williams.

The first test were held last week at Jerez. Ferrari conducted three days of testing for Pirelli at the former home of the Spanish Grand Prix with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jnr driving. The Young Pair completed 125 laps on slick, intermediate and wet tyres.

Ferrari will do two more days of testing for Pirelli over the remainder of 2021. All of their rivals bar Williams are also scheduled to run mule cars to assist F1’s official tyre supplier in developing its new rubber for next year.

Like Ferrari, Mercedes and Alpine will do a total of five days each. The tests will take place across nine different circuits, all bar two of which are due to hold rounds on the 2021 F1 calendar.

MARIO ISOLA, HEAD OF F1 AND CAR RACING :

“We’re looking forward to resuming our tests for the new 18-inch tyres shortly, but as the Covid-19 pandemic – which led to the suspension of the test programme last year – is not yet over, it’s possible that our planned schedule for this year may have to be modified.

As a result, we have a back-up plan too. Nonetheless, we have put together a programme that should enable us to pick up solidly from where we left off in 2019 and finalise the specification for a new generation of tyre under fresh regulations that will give Formula 1 a very different look next year.

Many thanks to all the teams for their support in providing simulations and mule cars, giving us a good base to work from. We will be testing both our slick and wet prototype 18-inch tyres for 2022: we started already at Jerez in Spain for three days with Ferrari, and we will end up at France’s Magny-Cours circuit with Alpine in September.”

2022 TYRE DEVELOPMENT TEST CALENDAR