Renault evaluating 18-inch tires for FR3.5

Renault and Michelin are evaluating low-profile tires for a possible switch to 18- and 17-inch wheels for the Formula Renault 3.5 and Formula Renault 2.0 series in 2016.

Renault had already said earlier this year it was open to a switch in a near future after Formula 1 tried an 18-inch Pirelli tire at Silverstone, as the sport also considered a move to bigger wheels.

Michelin and Renault have so far carried out two tests at Valencia and Barcelona with the new wheels.

"Given the positive results achieved at these tests, Renault Sport Technologies and Michelin are pleased to announce their intention to pursue this joint-development program, and further sessions are planned over the months ahead," said Renault in a statement.

The French manufacturer said the early results were positive and that the bigger wheels enhanced the cars' cornering performance, with laptimes around Valencia a second quicker in the FR3.5 single-seater.

"Michelin has been championing the principle of 18-inch tires in Formula 1 since 2010," said Michelin's technical director Nicolas Goubert. "For our group, motorsport is above all an incubator for innovation.

"We are delighted to be exploring this innovative avenue with such a partner and we are confident that, by 2016, the cars will race on bigger-diameter tires.

"In any case, the experience of our work with Renault Sport Technologies will allow us to amass valuable data for the development of future-generation Michelin tires."