ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates—The 10 teams competing in the global Formula 1 racing championship have voted unanimously to continue using 2019-specification Pirelli racing tires in 2020.
The decision, carried out according to Article 12.6.1 of the racing series' technical regulations, came after teams had tested the proposed 2020 specified tires, which were designed with a profile different from the 2019 version, Pirelli Tyre S.p.A. said.
The 2020 season will be the last that F1 cars will use the 13-inch rim diameter tires. Starting with the 2021 season, F1 will switch to an 18-inch, low-profile design, which Pirelli said will allow lower tire pressures than those used at the moment to be run.
As a result, the larger diameter tires will be able to compensate for the increased performance expected from the next generation of cars, Pirelli said, noting that a new chassis/engine formula is due to take effect with the 2021 season.
Together Pirelli, the FIA and the F1 Teams have taken into account several factors in reaching the decision to stay with the 2019 design spec, including:
- The teams no longer will have to modify the designs of their 2020 cars, which otherwise would have been necessary to accommodate the different profile of the 2020 tire construction;
- This will allow the teams to continue the development of their 2020 cars, which already are at an advanced stage, uninterrupted; and
- The use of the 2019-design tires also guarantees the teams' stability, with the advantage of using a well-known product during the final season of the current regulations.
- The development test campaign with the 18-inch format will continue throughout 2020, beginning in February with Ferrari at Jerez in Spain.