Pirelli concludes 18-inch Formula 1 testing

Milan, Italy – Pirelli’s test campaign for the new 18-inch Formula 1 tires that will replace the current 13-inch size next year concluded on 18 Oct, at Paul Ricard in France, which hosted the final wet tire test with Alpine and Daniil Kvyat.

The French event ended “an intense research and development programme that featured both indoor and outdoor testing,” which Pirelli said will bring about a “technical revolution” for motorsport.

The move to 18 inches, Pirelli said 19 Oct, required a clean-sheet design, with engineers 'rethinking every element of the low-profile tire', from the profile to the structure to the compounds. 

The tire maker carried out 28 days of track testing for the new tires throughout 2021, complementing the eight test days carried out at the end of 2019 and beginning of 2020, before Covid delayed the programme.

The development campaign also involved more than 10,000 hours of indoor testing, more than 5000 hours of simulation, and more than 70 prototypes developed virtually.

The tire maker produced 30 physical specifications tested on-track by the drivers. 

A total of 4267 laps were driven, making up more than 20,000 kilometres, using 392 sets (1568 units) of tires.

According to Pirelli, nearly all the F1 teams took part in the test programme along with 19 drivers, 15 of whom are regular competitors in the championship. 

Pirelli said the role of the drivers was crucial, with each one offering his own perspective throughout the different phases of development. 

The Italian tire maker had to revise its test programme in 2020 due to the outbreak of Covid, and cancelled on-track testing to concentrate on simulation and virtual development and modelling. 

“This system of virtual screening helped us optimise the number of physical prototypes produced and return to on-track testing for 28 days throughout 2021,” said Mario Isola, head of F1 and car racing. 

Pirelli has now developed the five compounds which it will homologate for next year, he added. 

The tire maker will still have some test days available next year to fine-tune the 2022 tires if needed.

Once the specification has been validated by the FIA, the drivers will have the chance to try out the definitive 18-inch tires at the test after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, set for November 2022.