Didier Perrin on “exciting” “new era for F2”

The FIA Formula 2 Championship will break new ground in 2020 following the announcement that our cars will race with 18” Pirelli tyres. The switch is aimed at the series’ continual progression as the perfect training ground for young drivers in their path to Formula 1.

The move will see Formula 2 make the step a year ahead of Formula 1 and allow the world’s best young talent to prepare themselves ahead of F1’s switch to the larger tyre in 2021.

The first shakedown took place at the Autodromo del Mugello track yesterday and both Formula 2 and Pirelli will continue to work together throughout the current season, using an F2 single-seater to put the tyres through an intensive testing programme.

FIA Formula 2 Technical Director Didier Perrin explained his delight at the move, saying: “The car looks great with 18” rims and the fans will love it. It is exciting because it is the start of a new era for F2.

“We ran an F2 car on 18” wheels yesterday for the first time and we have built up an extensive track tyre testing programme which will feature one test session per month until the end of the year.”

Perrin praised the move as part of the sport’s continual progression as the official feeder series for F1, saying: “I am happy to face this new challenge in F2 where we will be running 18” rims on our cars one year before F1. It will be fantastic for drivers because they will get a taste of a powerful single seater on ‘big rims.’

On the plans for testing the cars, and what fans can expect when they take to the track in 2020, the FIA Formula 2 Technical Director explained: “The behaviour of the car will change that’s for sure, because the tyres stiffness will be completely different.

“For obvious cost reasons, we will be keeping changes to a minimum in order to enable the cars to deal with the new tyres. We will be sticking with the same brakes and most of the suspension members, while trying to minimise the bodywork changes.”