Pirelli announces test data for 18-inch tyres

Published on 01 March 2021 by Bryan van Berlo

Pirelli plans to undertake 10 test sessions totalling 28 days this year with nine Formula 1 teams in preparation for the 2022 season, which introduces new technical regulations along with a move to 18-inch tyres. This, of course, is subject to any restrictions resulting from the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The development of the new 18-inch tyres actually started back in 2019, before being paused for a year as a result of Covid-19 pandemic.

This year, 18-inch testing resumes with a varied programme of slicks (seven sessions) and wets (three sessions) that takes in four stand-alone tests and six that will run immediately after a grand prix. The first two sessions took place at Jerez in Spain with Ferrari from February 22-24: both slick and wet tyres were tested. In total, the test sessions cover 20 days throughout 2021, but as more than one car will be running during some of those days, there will be 28 ‘car days’ in all over the course of the year (22 days in the dry and six days in the wet).

An overview of the Pirelli test schedule: