Teams Get "Huge Advantage" From Tire Tests

[cosworth151]

Force India says that the 3 teams participating in the Pirelli 2017 tire tests are getting a big jump on next season. Ferrari, Mercedes & Red Bull modified 2015 cars to 2017 aero specs for the tests. McLaren declined to take part in the tests.

Andy Green, the technical boss at Force India, said "If we had the $2 million (to build a test car), we would have done it. We thought about it but in the timeframe it was simply not possible to do at the same time as our race program."

http://autoweek.com/article/formula-one/top-f1-teams-get-huge-advantage-2017-tire-tests

[Steve A.]

A few sets should be given to all teams to test, get the most feedback possible and maybe get a set of compounds to suit all.

[Ian]

I'm with Force India on this, it's all well and good Pirelli saying that data will be shared(but I'd bet not all) but the teams that can afford a couple of million to adapt their cars WILL have a big advantage.

[Jericoke]

Looking at things another way... if Pirelli had to fund the cost of the research themselves, they'd have to pass the cost on to all the teams.

Force India just saved themselves 2 million dollars.

[Ian]

I think that would be fairer Jeri, especially if it was done on a sliding scale.