Pirelli will be allowed up to 12 days of testing next year in preparation for planned regulation changes in 2017.
The tyre manufacturer made clear during recent discussions regarding its future in the sport that it needed more testing time with current cars to help develop tyres. Eventually Pirelli was granted a 12-hour day of testing in Abu Dhabi after the final race of the season in preparation for 2016, while it will also test in wet conditions at Paul Ricard for two days in January.
However, motorsport boss Paul Hembery stated the need for extensive testing in 2016 as a result of plans to increase lap times by up to five seconds through new regulations in 2017. The FIA has now approved such a move, giving Pirelli up to 12 days during which to test.
The 2016 Formula One Sporting Regulations now state:
"In consultation with the teams and the appointed tyre supplier, the FIA reserves the right to organise up to six two day tests for the sole purpose of providing the Supplier with the chance to test improvements to the design of their tyres."
New tyre regulations were also approved earlier this month, with Pirelli providing teams with a choice of three compounds for each race.
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