Pirelli is looking forward to discussing the future of Formula One's tyres at a meeting in Milan next week, but has stressed the need for testing if it is to change its approach in 2017.
Teams and drivers have been invited to the meeting along with Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA to discuss the development of F1 tyres from 2017 onwards. Drivers are calling for higher performing, longer-lasting tyres in order to push flat out in races after five years of quick-degrading tyres since Pirelli joined the sport.
"A meeting will be held at Pirelli's Milan headquarters next week in which key Formula One stakeholders will take part," a Pirelli press release stated. "The meeting will be to discuss target tyre performance guidelines in the light of the 2017 regulations.
"Pirelli sees this meeting as being of vital importance in order to further consolidate the close collaboration that got underway last year with the FIA, FOM, and the drivers. Of the more than 250 championships in which Pirelli takes part worldwide, Formula One is the biggest challenge."
One of the biggest issues facing Pirelli is preparing for the increase in downforce and physical loads that are expected under a revamped set of chassis regulations for 2017. It has warned that it needs a suitable amount of testing with a car capable of simulating 2017 lap times in order to be fully prepared for the new regulations and offer the sport the tyres its wants.
"In 2017 the technical aspects will become even more complex, so Pirelli is even more convinced of the need to carry out more on-track testing. This is a factor that has been extremely limited in recent years, despite the important evolution of the cars and subsequent increase in performance.
"All these are vital steps towards tyre development that takes into account the future evolution of the cars and added performance, which will be particularly notable in 2017. This will allow an even more effective use of the advanced technology that makes Pirelli the world leader in performance tyres."