Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA
Breaking news

Brundle to test 18-inch Pirelli GP2 car at Monaco

Grand Prix veteran-turned-TV commentator Martin Brundle is drive an 18-inch-tyred GP2 car in Monaco today, as the Italian tyre manufacturer evaluates its Formula 1 future.

Martin Brundle GP2 Pirelli test

Martin Brundle GP2 Pirelli test

Charles Bradley

Pirelli GP2 car 18-inch tyre test
Pirelli 18-inch concept tire
(L to R): Simon Lazenby, Sky Sports F1 TV Presenter with Johnny Herbert, Sky Sports F1 Presenter and Martin Brundle, Sky Sports Commentator
Pirelli 18-inch concept tire
Martin Brundle, Sky Sports Commentator
(L to R): race winner and World Champion Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 with Martin Brundle, Sky Sports Commentator on the podium

Brundle will return to driving the streets of Monaco for the first time in 19 years – when he spun out of the chaotic 1996 Grand Prix for Jordan – when he drives the GP2 test car between the Porsche Supercup qualifying session and GP2 feature race.

When Motorsport.com asked how the run came about, Brundle said: “Paul Hembery [Pirelli chief] dropped me a line saying did I want to drive the car on these new tyres, and I said ‘yep’.”

Brundle had his seat fitting in the GP2 paddock yesterday, and will have fine weather conditions for the run. The tyres were previously tested in private in Barcelona a fortnight ago.

GP2 tests have F1 implications

Talks are ongoing about a future direction for Formula 1 tyre specification after Pirelli’s current contract ends in 2016, and thoughts are being given to a change of dimension.

As well as an idea gathering momentum for there to be wider rear tyres, Pirelli has been considering whether or not a move to a lower profile type, with an 18-inch diameter wheel, would be beneficial.

Last year it conducted a test with Lotus at the post-British Grand Prix test at Silverstone, and work has been continuing.

However, it is more likely F1 will stick with the current 13-inch specification because of the cost implications to teams of changing to a different wheel size.

Be part of Motorsport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Monaco GP2: Rossi masters the wet to take pole
Next article Monaco GP2: Vandoorne wins street fight with Rossi

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA