F1 cars are going to look seriously different in 2021

Formula 1 cars are going to be fitted with 18-inch rims from 2021, it has been revealed by the FIA's tender for a new tyre supplier. The current 13-inch designs will remain in place for the 2020 campaign, when a different supplier to Pirelli could be on board.

The FIA also want to remove the need for tyre blankets from 2021, in a huge shake-up of a car part that has become increasingly scrutinised in recent years.

Pirelli's seven-strong range of dry tyre compounds has not always made for the most thrilling of races, with teams increasingly able to successfully pull off one-stop strategies which offer fewer chances to shake up the order of the grid.

Increasing the complexity of strategies is at the forefront of the FIA's thoughts for 2020 and beyond.

The tender says: "The intent is to create the maximum number of race strategies yielding race times such that multi-stop strategies provide just enough potential of a beneficial outcome to encourage the greatest variety in the racing spectacle."

Tyres that are able to recover are also sought, but the FIA remains keen on tyres to include a 'cliff' of performance that necessitates a pit-stop once a certain level of wear has been worked up.

The statement adds: "In terms of absolute lap time, the performance of the tyres fitted to 18" wheels should, when at operating temperature, be at least as good as the 2019 tyres."

In 2014, Lotus ran a car fitted with 18-ince rims during a test at Silverstone, but this would represent the first change of wheel size to F1's racing cars in over 20 years.