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Pirelli said it tested approximately 96 different prototypes on the final day of its 2017 Formula 1 tyre testing programme.

For the first time this season, all three mule cars from Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari ran on track at the same time in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

It was the 24th day of testing, which has allowed Pirelli to complete around 12,000km of running to help define next year’s bigger and wider tyres.

Lewis Hamilton started the running for Mercedes but ended the day early because he felt unwell, with Pascal Wehrlein stepping in.

Kimi Raikkonen was in the Ferrari while Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo split the driving duties for Red Bull.

They tested a number of different compounds and structures but as it was a blind test, they were unaware of what they were running.

Pirelli motorsport boss Paul Hembery said the tyre supplier completed its programme at Yas Marina but insisted there is still a lot to do ahead of the 2017 season.

“For the final test of the year, we had five F1 race drivers sample our 2017 prototypes as we completed the development programme with three cars at the same time.

“Now the hard work begins as we collate and analyse the results of our 24 days and approximately 12,000 kilometres of testing in order to define the tyres with which we will go racing next year.

“These will then be run on the actual 2017 cars for the first time during the official group tests next February.

“Our latest test in Abu Dhabi went according to plan.

“We were able to collect the data we needed thanks to the three mule cars from Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari; without whom it would have been impossible to carry out this intense development programme.”

Pre-season testing runs February 27-March 2 and March 7-10 at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya.

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Nearly 100 F1 2017 tyre prototypes tried in Abu Dhabi testing

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