Pirelli have secured the use of a Renault R30 to test its latest tyres for the 2012 season and beyond after coming to a deal with the now Lotus outfit.
The sole tyre supplier had previously been using a Toyota TF109 from 2009, but with several regulation changes since then, Pirelli has found it difficult to replicate the modern cars and their level of downforce.
The new deal sees the use of an R30 from 2010, which will be heavily modified to match the downforce of the current cars.
“It was clear from an early point that we needed a more modern solution for our test car, as while the Toyota TF109 has served us extremely well, it is now three years old,” said Pirelli’s Paul Hembery.
“Technology as well as the regulations have moved on considerably since then, and the Toyota is no longer able to generate the same sort of forces that we need to simulate in order to meet the current requirements of Formula 1.
“At the top of our agenda is the need to treat the teams entirely equally, which is why the test team will be run independently and all the teams will be able to send an observer to the tests.
“Our new test car will be running to current fuel regulations, with no refueling, so we will be able to simulate a full race distance and the change in balance with the car and tyres.”
The company hope to announce a new test driver soon.
