F1 to finalise 2017 regulations this month

F1 tyre supplier Pirelli hosted the meeting at its headquarters in a bid to resolve issues surrounding the 2017 rules, when its new contract comes into force.

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, FIA president Jean Todt and Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne were present, alongside several team bosses and drivers, including Sebastian Vettel, Felipe Massa, Valtteri Bottas and Nico Rosberg.

Top of the agenda were concerns over the tyres for '17, with the drivers eager to be allowed rubber on which they can push, with less degradation.

Pirelli has made it clear on many occasions it needs an adequate test programme this year if it is to cope with the plans that have long been on the cards.

But F1's technical chiefs have so far failed to reach a consensus on a set of regulations for '17.

The situation deteriorated on Friday at a meeting at Heathrow between technical personnel from all 11 teams and the FIA's Charlie Whiting.

The meeting proved inconclusive, to such a degree it was indicated to Autosport a delay until 2018 - as previously suggested by Williams technical chief Pat Symonds - was on the cards.

It meant the meeting in Milan with Pirelli chairman Marco Tronchetti Provera and motorsport director Paul Hembery took on added significance

Not only did the discussions focus on tyres, but also on the need to draw up the rules that are required from '17 onwards.

Autosport understands the discussions were mostly constructive, and although there was no final result, promises were made to deliver the required rules by the end of the month.

The technical bosses are due to gather again soon, with meetings of the Strategy Group and F1 Commission scheduled for Geneva on February 23.