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Pirelli Won't Quit Formula 1; FIA Approves 2017 Testing Plan

Sameer Contractor
Sameer Contractor
1 min read
2016-04-19 22:28:25
Pirelli Won't Quit Formula 1; FIA Approves 2017 Testing Plan
Key Highlights
  • FIA approved Pirelli's request to continue the 2017 testing programme
  • The next F1 season will see major changes in rules and cars
  • Pirelli is yet to sign the contract for the 2017-19 period with Formula 1
Pirelli, the lone supplier of tyres for Formula One had threatened to withdraw from the current season, if its tyre testing programme for 2017 was not ratified. Having written to the International Automobile Federation (FIA) in a bid to sort out its plans immediately, the Italian manufacturer managed to receive a unanimous approval from the F1 commission and the Strategy Group to go ahead with its tyre testing programme. The move was indeed a bold one for the Italian tyre maker that has been synonymous with the sport for eons now.

Pirelli had written to the FIA to take into consideration that its 2017 plans had to be sorted immediately. The issue has been related to Formula One's rules changing extensively next year and will require Pirelli to deliver wider tyres apart from the other upgrades. The cars next season are promised to go faster , will be harder to drive and have more downforce.

Pirelli won the contract for supplying tyres to F1 for 2017-19 period last October, but is yet to sign the contract with FIA due to the testing issues.

In conversation with Motorsport.com, Pirelli Motorsport Director, Paul Hembery has previously said, "In practice, we are at the limit already. There are only six months of work left in order to study and implement the whole thing, and it's not easy." Hembrey argued that it was getting difficult to provide the perfect tyre week after week, especially with the earlier deadline being end of April.

Hembrey further stated, "If we can not work as we want, it becomes impossible to deliver what is required of us. We do not want to put our name at risk for the sake of not having the tests nor information necessary to do a good job."

With the resolved, things seem to be getting back in order for Pirelli as well as Formula One, and we can expect to see an exciting season next year. With three races ticked off the 2016 calendar, the current season has provided its fair share of excitement with Nico Rosberg of Team Mercedes (75 points) taking the podium finish, followed by teammate Lewis Hamilton (39 points).

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