Pirelli's desire to introduce bigger tyres to F1 took another step towards reality during last week's Silverstone group test, as Lotus ran the 18-inch creations on a hastily-modified E22. The tyre manufacturer's Paul Hembery is quick to point out that the 13-inch rubber currently in use in F1 is 'no longer relevant to the everyday road user', but admits that 18-inch tyres would be a big step for F1, even if other motorsport series have already adopted the bigger size. Lotus technical director Nick Chester was interested to see what difference the bigger wheels and tyres made to the current breed of F1 car, but revealed a number of changes had to be made to the E22 to accommodate the latest...
Full Story »