Sebastian Vettel has debuted the new, wider 2017 Pirelli tyres with Ferrari at the team’s Fiorano test track.
The German driver was at the wheel of a modified SF15-T on Monday as he kicked off a two-day test programme with the new tyre sizes.
Pirelli has previously tried out 2017 compounds on current-spec tyre sizes but its extensive test plan with the wider tyres has now started.
The tread of the new tyres is 25% wider than the current Pirelli range. The front tyres will be 60mm wider (from 245 to 305mm) and the rears will increase 80mm (from 325 to 405mm).
Vettel completed a few installation laps in the morning before switching his main focus to intermediate and wet weather tyres in 2017-spec.
The Fiorano track has been artificially dampened for the testing, which Haas F1 driver Esteban Gutierrez will continue for Pirelli on Tuesday.
Vettel’s car has been modified to simulate the new aero regulations coming into force next year and to fit the wider 2017 tyres.
Red Bull will be the first team to try the slick Pirelli 2017 tyres, with Mercedes joining in later on to help the F1 supplier with its testing programme.
Pirelli test schedule:
– August 1-2: Fiorano, Ferrari, wet tyres
– August 3-4: Mugello, Red Bull, slick tyres
– September 6-7: Barcelona, Ferrari, slick tyres
– September 6-8: Paul Ricard, Mercedes, slick tyres
– September 21-22: Paul Ricard, Mercedes, wet tyres
– October 12-13: Barcelona, Mercedes, slick tyres
– October 14-16: Abu Dhabi, Red Bull, slick tyres
– November 2-3: Abu Dhabi, Red Bull, slick tyres
– November 14-16: Abu Dhabi, Ferrari, wet tyres
– November 29: Abu Dhabi, Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull, all tyres
