Monte Carlo, Monaco---Italian tyre suppliers Pirelli on Saturday laid out their conditions for staying in Formula One beyond 2017 as the civil strife that threatens the sport continued to ripple through the paddock.
Chairman and chief executive Marco Tronchetti Provera said Pirelli was ready to go on as a sole supplier or to enter into a 'tyre war' if that is a decision taken by the sport as it struggles to define its blueprint for the future.
"We intend to stay if the regulations are the ones we agree on and if the costs are affordable," he explained.
"And if the guarantee we want to have in the contracts is accepted."
He said Pirelli wanted to see a return to more comprehensive testing in better conditions and suggested tests in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi.
"If we continue to wait (for tests) until February, it is too late and the temperatures are not right for us," he explained. "It is in everyone's interests."
Rivals Michelin have expressed an interest in returning to Formula One.
A new 'tyre war' and refuelling have been put forward as possible ways to revitalise the sport as attendances and television viewing figures fall.
Another suggestion, supported by F1's commercial ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone, to introduce 'customer cars' in a bid to control costs was rejected by three teams Saturday as infighting continued.
The proposal came from a meeting of the sport's 'Strategy Group' last week.
Force India, Sauber and Lotus have all opposed the idea, saying they wish to remain independent constructors of their own chassis.
"It doesn't work for us as a business model because of everything we do," said Lotus boss Matthew Carter.
"Not even with a new chassis, let alone a year-old one from Mercedes or Red Bull or whatever."
He expressed support, however, for plans to bring in bigger tyres, more down-force and more speed.
On Thursday, several leading team chiefs said they had no faith in the proposals and said the Strategy Group "was not fit for purpose."
AFP
