F1 | 18-inch tires could be introduced in 2021

2021 will be a year of big changes for Formula 1, thanks to a revolution regarding the regulations that Liberty Media has already been working on for several months. The single-seaters will have to be simpler on an aerodynamic level to reduce costs and facilitate overtaking, while the Power Units should see the elimination of the MGU-H, one of the most complex elements of the current units.

Another big change, however, should concern the tires which, according to rumors reported by Auto Motor und Sport, could go from the current size of 13 inches to 18 inches starting from 2021. There would also be the opportunity to be able to anticipate the size change to 2020, but obviously this will depend on which manufacturer will remain as sole tire supplier: Pirelli has made it known that it wants to renew the contract expiring at the end of 2019 but, with a possible introduction of 18-inch tyres, it could return to Michelin's candidacy is on the rise. The front tires should be narrower than the rear - as is already the case now - in order to reduce aerodynamic turbulence towards the rear of the car, as well as allowing for a reduction in weight and, consequently, better distribution of the same.

We recall that already in 2014, during an in-season test session, Pirelli had tested a prototype of 18-inch tires with Lotus, one of the 4 teams with which it collaborated for the development of the tyres, to collect technical information on its functioning and how such a low shoulder could influence the behavior of the single-seaters.