FR3.5 open to low-profile tire switch

Formula Renault 3.5 is likely to switch to low-profile tires if Formula 1 makes a similar change in the future.

F1 tire supplier Pirelli revealed a different tire configuration last week on 18-inch wheels, which was tested by Lotus at Silverstone. The manufacturer suggested that it could bring low-profile tires into GP2 before F1 to help with development of the concept, much like Bridgestone did when it switched from grooved tires to slicks, changing GP2's tires in 2006 before F1 moved across in 2009.

FR3.5 tire supplier Michelin has long been pushing for open-wheel series to run low-profile tires, and Renault Sport is open to making the change.

"One reason to make a change would be if Formula 1 goes to 18-inch wheels," Renault Sport president Patrice Ratti. "That's an unknown at the moment.

"We don't want to take the decision before Formula 1 takes it, but if they take it, we are pretty confident about it. We've already tested the 18-inch with Michelin six months ago."

Pirelli motorsport boss Paul Hembery said last week that work has already begun on a GP2 development program for the new tires.