F1: Drivers may lose tire freedom for early 2017 races

Formula 1 drivers may be forced to accept a fixed allocation of tires for the first few races of the 2017 season as Pirelli faces potential production concerns.

For this season the rules regarding tire supply altered, with three compounds available per race, and with each driver allowed to nominate the number of each type required, with a total of 13 overall permitted. The nominations are announced by Pirelli two weeks in advance of any grand prix, which for next season is set to pose problems given the changes to the rules regarding the tires.

Sizes are to increase, with the fronts wider by 60mm, going from 245mm to 305mm, and the rears by 80mm, from 325mm to 405mm.

Given the level of testing required this season, right up until after the final race in Abu Dhabi in late November, full production of the new tires will not start until early December.

• Pirelli reveals 2017 testing plans

Pirelli feels it may not be able to cater to an individual driver's needs over the opening few flyaway races, and instead it may be preferable to go with fixed numbers of the compounds required for each race early in the season.

"In my opinion the regulation is working so there is no reason to change it, but we need a solution, at least for the first three or four races," said Pirelli racing manager Mario Isola. "If they [the FIA] decide to have a fixed allocation at the beginning of the year then we can start producing. We can produce the tires in advance. At the moment having a fixed allocation is an idea, and it's a solution that makes sense."

Isola recognized, however, the approach would require unanimity across the board from all the teams, some of whom may see an advantage to be gained in potential early-season uncertainty with tire selection.

"It will be a decision managed by the FIA, not just Pirelli," he added. "We are involved in the discussion because we need to check if the proposal is feasible.

"I'm sure we will have discussions with the FIA and the teams in the future, and we will find a solution. We've already had preliminary discussions, which was some time ago, and we agreed we needed to look into this more deeply for the beginning of next year."

Originally on Autosport.com