As Formula 1 continues to debate exactly what direction it should take in 2021, one piece of the puzzle fell into place last week - but only due to a legal scheduling obligation that required the FIA to draw a line in the sand and get on with it.
The 2020-2023 sole supplier tyre tender had to be issued this month to allow potential candidates the opportunity to bid against Pirelli. That meant finalising the tyre specifications for the new era, which begins from the second of those four seasons.
We now know that in 2021, F1 will make the momentous move from 13-inch to 18-inch wheel rims, finally bringing it in line with where the motor industry has been going for decades. In addition, front tyres will be 35mm narrower, and diameters will rise from the current 670mm to the 700-720mm range. And, after years of debate on the matter, tyre warmers will not be permitted.