Pirelli complete final development test for 2020 F1 compound

Pirelli have completed their final development test with the new, final 13-inch compound for the 2020 season before switching to 18-inch in 2021 (pictured above), with Ferrari, Mercedes and Aston Martin Red Bull Racing participating in the test at the Circuit de Catalunya.

The Italian tyre manufacturers will continue to develop the new compound before giving all teams the final specification in the post-season test at Abu Dhabi in December. 

The main target for the new compound will be for it to reach its optimum temperature window easier, with multiple teams currently struggling to maximise performance from the P-Zero tyres.

Sebastian Vettel, Alexander Albon and Esteban Ocon combined for 404 laps during the test spread across two days.

“The aim of the test was to validate the latest specification of 13-inch 2020 tyres following the most recent guidelines agreed with the teams,” Pirelli motorsport director Mario Isola was quoted by RaceFans.net.

“We carried out plenty of running with the three top teams over two days, which enabled us to collect the data that we wanted. As a result, we are now in a position to nominate the 2020 specification.”

Tests for the 18-inch wheels have started as well, with Sergey Sirotkin being the first driver to drive on the new wheels for Renault on a test day. More extensive tests have been run with Formula 2 cars.