Pirelli wants quick decision over 2017 Formula 1 revamp

Pirelli says it would be difficult to commit to a contract extension that goes beyond 2016 until it knows Formula 1's plans for a rules revolution the following year

Discussions have taken place over a rapid overhaul of car regulations that would result in wider cars, bigger tyres, 1000bhp and bodywork revisions for 2017 - but nothing has yet been agreed.

Pirelli, which became F1's sole supplier in 2011, said earlier this year that it would favour increasing tyre size to bring the "wow factor" back.

But with a tyre contract expected to go up for tender later this year for 2017 onwards, Pirelli motorsport chief Paul Hembery said that the Italian manufacturer needs plenty of notice of any changes.

"We want to see what is happening in 2017," said Hembery. "If you're going to have a tender process you want to know what you're signing up to.

"What sort of sport are we talking about?"

When asked if Pirelli would sign up without knowing what the rules will be, Hembery said: "It would be hard to, almost impossible to go to the board if there are changes in the offing.

"If you don't know what those changes are, how can you possibly make decisions costing a substantial amount of money? It would be a bit remiss to do that.

"We've not heard any more. When they do the tender process, which we believe will be in the next three months, then we would want that to include what is selected.

"We are happy to do the right thing for the sport. Do they want 19-inch tyres or do we want to stay with 13-inch?

"It's down to the sport, but it has a big impact in the amount of work involved, we need to know when we can do verification testing.

"If the changes are as they described, with 1000bhp and huge rear wings etc, you'd want to be do running in October and November the previous year."