[jfxavier]

Originally Posted by Fullrevs

Seems to me the FIA are quite keen on getting Michelin on-board as the official tyre supplier. Pirelli must feel threatened so they are out there looking at the possibility of running low profile tyres.

I was under the impression that low-profile tyres with wider rear (wider than current spec) was the proposal for 2017?!

The recommendations for 2017 are only from the strategy group and looking at the history, most of the recommendations dont materialize.

More details here : http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/intl-m...coming-up.html

I think Pirelli is Bernie's favourites as he has advertising agreements with them for the track side ads.

The idea of bigger wheel rims is likely to be put off or cancelled as the teams themselves might not be keen unless active suspension and other tech. are allowed, which BE and FIA might not want.
Without bigger rims, Michelin might not want to step in.

And as usual with F1, status quo seems to be the immediate future WRT tyres.

[jfxavier]

After the friday meeting of the "Big 4" team principals, it seems the idea of bigger wheel rims is going to die a premature death.
"The subject of bigger wheels has been raised many times over the last five or eight years," said Mercedes executive technical director Paddy Lowe.
"The broad consensus is that going to bigger wheels is not a good direction. From a grip point of view it's not positive. Like for like, such tyres will have a lower grip and the weight will go up considerably, so it's not an attractive direction performance-wise. I think generally we would intend to stick with the 13-inch wheels."

Larger wheel rims means the aerodynamics of the current F1 cars will change drastically and all the solutions the teams have developed for cooling, suspension ride height and down force will have to be changed substantially.
Bigger wheels mean more weight as well, and since Formula One is trying to lighten the cars to improve lap times, increasing the wheels size now has little chance of approval. A weight reduction of 50 kg was suggested, but many believe a more practical 20 kg weight reduction will be possible.

Ferrari technical director James Allison supported Lowe, but highlighted the fact there is still discussion with regard to a fatter rear tyre, with suggestions it could switch from the current 375mm to 420mm from 2017.
"As Paddy said, the rim diameter is going to stay where it is," said Allison, "but the width of the tyre is probably still up for grabs.

Source: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/119331