Watch Sebastian Vettel Test F1 2017's Way Wider Tyres

F1 is going for an old-school vibe with the new, wider tyres, bringing them back to the kind of proportions and look we saw in the 1970s. The widths are increasing by 25% and this will certainly improve track performance and could give us better racing too.

The front tyres will increase in width from 245mm to 305mm, with the rears moving from 325mm to 405mm. YouTuber 19Bozzy92 captured great footage of Sebastian Vettel testing new, wide 2017 intermediate and wet tyres at Ferrari’s Fiorano test track using a modified SF15-T.

As well as making the cars look even more aggressive and bold, the tyres will also give drivers more mechanical grip, which will speed up laptimes and car performance. The changes to the aero and the improved grip could also help the racing, potentially boosting overtaking. That can only be a good thing.

Pirelli has an extensive test programme planned for these wider 2017 tyres over the rest of the year, with Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes taking part.