The newly-released FIA sporting regulations state in article 10.6: "In consultation with the teams and the appointed tire supplier, the FIA reserves the right to organize up to six two-day tests for the sole purpose of providing the supplier with the chance to test improvements to the design of their tires."

The rule is primarily designed to help Pirelli test rubber for the planned 2017 rules revamp that aims to improve lap times by around five seconds.

With front and rear tire widths to increase as part of this process, Pirelli made clear in recent months it required an adequate testing program.

The Italian manufacturer's motorsport chief Paul Hembery welcomed the FIA's move to enshrine tire testing in the regulations, but a major drawback still remains as the nature of the test car remains undecided given aerodynamics are also due to considerably alter for 2017.

"It's the first step forward, so that's extremely positive," Hembery said. "It's in the regulations, so in collaboration with the FIA, and as deemed necessary we can go testing, but we still need a test vehicle.

"In reality, it's the definition of a test vehicle of a suitable level, and that's clearly related to the regulations which as yet haven't been stabilized. We really do need some clarity as to what is required in a very short space of time because we have to start working on that."

Hembery admits Pirelli ideally needs to be testing the 2017 tires by the middle of '16 at the latest.

"We want to be on track in May/June, but the lead time for the vehicle is the problem, and can there be a vehicle done anyway?" queried Hembery. "It's far from ideal, with this grey area of not knowing, and depending on who you talk to a vehicle can or cannot be created because if you ask the teams you get different answers.

"So the first step is: what are the regulations? Then we will move from that towards finding a suitable testbed."