Following the initial test with Scuderia Ferrari at the beginning of February, Pirelli had confirmed the 18 inch tyre test schedule for the year. The initial 18 inch tyre testing of 2018 has concluded at Jerez, after Charles Leclerc took the wheel of a mule 2019 Ferrari fitted with the new 18 inch wheels.
With Formula 1 switching to 18 inch tyres as part of the far-reaching technical changes for 2021, testing of the 18 inch tyres should kick up a gear this year after some initial tests were done at the end of 2019 for data gathering.
Every team will be given the chance to carry out 18 inch tyre testing over the course of 2020, provided they can provide Pirelli with a suitable mule car to run the bigger wheels. It’s expected every team will be in a position to do this, and no team can glean an advantage from this tyre testing as all data will be shared by Pirelli with the other teams. However, the recent Coronavirus outbreak will change initial plans.
Scuderia Ferrari were supposed to be on duty again next time out, with a wet weather tyre test planned at Fiorano on the 5th March. But Pirelli has now confirmed that this test has been postponed:
“Because of company restriction policies adopted by Scuderia Ferrari and Pirelli following the worldwide Coronavirus outbreak, the scheduled 18-inch 2021 wet tyre test at Fiorano on March 5 has to be postponed. The test will be rescheduled at Fiorano at the earliest opportunity.” – the Formula 1 official tyre supplier confirmed.
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