Pirelli's website is as convoluted as any, but once I got into the competition tire catalog section, I found a few things of interest.
For example, the PZERO C, in a size 225/45R17, Pirelli specifies it must only be mounted on a 9.0" rim, no wider, no narrower, and that when mounted on such, the total section width is exactly 9.49", and the real tread width is exactly 8.27".
But I want more, so I looked at the PZERO Corsa. I found 2 sizes of interest.
The 265/40ZR18 must only be mounted on a 10.0" rim, and on that the total section is exactly 11.02", with the tread exactly 9.84".
for the rear of my racer, the 325/30R19 must only be mounted on a 12.0" rim, which gives a total section of exactly 13.19", and a tread of exactly 11.61".
For competition, the wider the wheel, the better supported the sidewalls are, the quicker the response, the wider and better controlled the contact patch.
Pirelli pretty well proves Stephen's ideas are all wrong. Stephen would try to put a 265/40 on an 8.5" wheel. On street tires for street use it is possible, but for getting the most from the tire, it isn't good.
I also did some looking at Goodyear's website, for the F1 GS D3.
The 275/40-17 can go on a 9.0" rim. But it can also go on an 11.0" rim. Now think about this: If you put it on a 10.0" rim, and go cornering, the outer sidewall will be where it would be on an 11" rim when not cornering, and the inner sidewall will be where it would be on a 9" rim if not cornering.
Now, grab your popcorn, because Stephen is not capable of admitting that any, let alone all, of this is correct, and he's not capable of staying out of this thread. And no matter what he types, the very fact of him typing proves me totally correct.

 

I can fight and win my own battles, but that was a pretty sweet burn. However, if the enemy doesn't chime in, how will you know if he even read it? You don't have to jump in on my side to get me to finish your engine. It'll be ready when I said it will.