Formula 1 will introduce a new tyre specification for the 2021 season including a switch to 18-inch wheels.

The FIA has invited tyre manufacturers to bid to become F1’s exclusive tyre supplier for the 2020 to 2023 seasons. A document seen by RaceFans notes: “in keeping with the overall objectives for the evolution of the Formula 1 Technical Regulations in 2021, which aim (amongst other things) to improve the racing spectacle, significant changes to the tyre dimensions are planned “.

As well as switching from 13-inch to 18-inch wheels, front wheel widths will be reduced from 305mm to 270mm. Rear wheels widths will remain at 405mm. Tyre warming blankets will also be abolished in 2021.

The FIA will examine all tenders which are submitted by 31st August 2018 and determine which of those “meet the FIA’s technical and safety requirements”. These will then be submitted to the commercial rights holder of the championship [Liberty Media] which will conduct commercial negotiations with each approved bidder and make the final selection of the entity it proposes to be appointed by the FIA.”

“The FIA shall officially appoint the single supplier and contract with it in connection with the basis on which it will supply the competitors and any sporting considerations. The commercial rights holder of the championship shall be solely entitled to contract with the appointed single supplier concerning any rights of association with the championship to be conferred on the single supplier,” it added.

The chosen tyre supplier will be informed of “objectives that affect the sporting spectacle and are related to degradation, durability, temperature working range or wear characteristics,” the tender adds. “The FIA will reserve the right to amend these requirements once per calendar year.”

The four-year period of the new tyre tender is a departure from the previous three-year deals. Pirelli, which has been Formula 1’s official tyre supplier since 2011, potentially stands to benefit from its experience of producing the current 13-inch wheels, which will only be used for the first year of the new contract.

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2021 F1 season