F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Pirelli releases tyre testing schedule for 2018

All ten F1 teams will take part in Pirelli's 2019 tyre development programme this year, a schedule which will include ten two-day sessions and nine venues.

Teams will run for F1's exclusive tyre supplier right after races in China, Spain, Great Britain, Japan and Mexico City, with additional sessions dedicated to Pirelli's wet compound taking place in Fiorano and Paul Ricard, with Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren.

Unsurprisingly, Brazil has been dropped from the list of testing venues following the safety issues which emerged last November at Interlagos when members of the Sauber and McLaren teams were the victims of an attempted robbery.

"We’ve defined the calendar with all the teams," said Pirelli's head of car racing Mario Isola.

"It is good that we have been able to distribute one dry session to each team.

"We offered to test to all the teams, and all the teams replied in a positive way," added the Italian manager.

"Talking about wet tyres, we have less sessions, we have three teams who were also available to test on wets, and we allocated wet tests to these three teams."

As a reminder, teams are not allowed to run development parts on their 2018 cars during the tests, while Pirelli does not divulge any details or specifications linked to the chosen compounds.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.