Pirelli could contribute up to three seconds in lap time performance when they switch to new wider tyres in 2017, according to motorsport director Paul Hembery.
The sport aims to decrease lap times by around five to six seconds the year after next as part of an overhaul of the regulations which will see wider front-wings, lower rear-wings and a return to large diffusers.
One of the most visual differences however will be the switch to wider tyres. It was recently agreed to go from 245mm at the front to 300mm, whilst the rears will increase by 75mm from 325mm to 400mm.
Hembery reckons the increased grip along with a change in specification will contribute a major fall in times when they’re introduced.
“Going to a wider tyre means a bigger footprint so of course that means you’re going to get more performance.
“There’s simulation work [to do], we need to provide some data and what that will provide, a grip model for the teams, so they can work out how much of performance they can get from the tyres,” he explained to ESPN.
“It’s probably two, maybe three seconds from the tyre. Based on that they will modify the aero regs, and maybe the engine regs as well, to obtain the five seconds we’re trying to achieve.”
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