F1: Deadline set for 2017 regulations

Formula 1 bosses have promised to finalize the 2017 technical regulations by February 29 following the today's talks in Milan.

F1 tire supplier Pirelli hosted the meeting at its headquarters in a bid to resolve issues surrounding the 2017 rules, when its new contract comes into force.

F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, FIA president Jean Todt and Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne were present, alongside several team bosses and drivers, including Sebastian Vettel, Felipe Massa, Valtteri Bottas and Nico Rosberg. Top of the agenda were concerns over the tires for '17, with the drivers eager to be allowed rubber on which they can push, with less degradation.

Pirelli has long made it clear it needs an adequate test program this year if it is to cope with the plans that have long been on the cards. But F1's technical chiefs have so far failed to come to reach a consensus on a set of regulations for '17.

The situation deteriorated on Friday at a meeting at London's Heathrow Airport between technical personnel from all 11 teams and the FIA's Charlie Whiting The meeting proved inconclusive, to such a degree it was intimated that a delay until 2018 – as previously suggested by Williams technical chief Pat Symonds – was on the cards.

All this meant the meeting in Milan with Pirelli chairman Marco Tronchetti Provera and motorsport director Paul Hembery took on added significance. Not only did the discussions focus on tires, but also on the need to draw up the rules that are required from '17 onwards.

Sources said the discussions were were mostly constructive, and although there was no final result, promises were made to deliver the required rules by the end of the month. The technical bosses are due to gather again soon, with meetings of the Strategy Group and F1 Commission scheduled for Geneva on Feb. 23.

Originally on Autosport.com