Ferrari has provided "a glimpse into Formula 1's bigger, faster future," according to Will Dale of FOX SPORTS. The team "headed straight home from the German GP to its Fiorano test track" where Pirelli showed off its 2017-spec tires on track for the first time. Sebastian Vettel "will carry out a full day's testing at the Italian circuit aboard one of last year's Ferraris," modified to simulate the '17 rules. Next year's cars "will have bigger wings" and bigger tires to increase downforce and grip, "slashing lap times and making them more of a test for the drivers" (FOX SPORTS, 8/1).
TESTING BEGINS: The BBC's Andrew Benson reported the new tires are 305mm wide at the front and 405mm at the rear, 60mm and 80mm wider, respectively, than in '16. The rules to be introduced next year "are aimed at making the cars up to five seconds a lap faster." In addition, Pirelli has been told to produce tires on which drivers "can push flat-out for much longer periods." Ferrari's test "is primarily aimed" at trying out Pirelli's new wet-weather tires, although Vettel did some installation laps on the untreaded "slick" dry-weather tire early on Monday. Haas' Esteban Gutierrez, who was Ferrari's reserve driver in '15, will take over on Tuesday (BBC, 8/1).
