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Mercedes technical chief Paddy Lowe thinks that avoiding a winter test in Bahrain for the 2017 season would be a big risk.
Pirelli are introducing wider tyres for 2017, which some engineers are calling the biggest tyre revolution change in decades. Some teams are pushing for testing in Bahrain to ensure hot weather testing to getting a better understanding of the tyres.
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"The situation is that we have the biggest change in tyre regulations probably for one or two decades and Pirelli have asked the FIA if they would support testing in Bahrain, which is outside Europe," said Lowe.
"So by regulation it requires a process to get there. So as I understand, a majority of teams support that request. For me, the important point that Pirelli were asking for is some hot condition testing of the compounds particularly.
"Unfortunately the mule car programme which is running at the moment has delivered three cars which are very helpful to the process but they are not delivering the level of aerodynamic load that will be seen next year."
"For me it's a matter of supporting Pirelli's request to contain the risk of arriving at the first race as being the first event with hot conditions and there's real risk to the show," he commented.
Lowe threw his thoughts back to the infamous 2005 USA Grand Prix when only six drivers were permitted to start the race due to tyre issues.
"We've seen what can happen, for example, in Indianapolis 2005. We mustn't forget that we need to put on a show, we need to run a 300 kilometres race with sensible numbers of tyres, so that's not an inconsiderable risk and should be covered."
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
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