Low profile tyres on 18-inch wheels for Formula One

Pirelli has been the exclusive provider of Formula One tyres for the last four seasons, but while it has developed its own compounds, the formula itself has remained largely the same.

But Pirelli has a new proposal in mind. It wants to increase the wheel size to 18 inches and fit lower profile tyres in order to make them more relevant to road car tyres, while also increasing sidewall rigidity for better handling. The idea will be tested using a Lotus F1 car at the upcoming mid-season test at Silverstone.