F1 News: Formula 1 Switches To Pirelli FSC- Certified Tires As Move Towards Sustainability
In a commitment to embracing sustainability, Formula 1 has transitioned to Pirelli FSC tires. The Italian tire brand has achieved a significant milestone by being the first company to produce a complete range of motorsport tires certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The FSC logo will be featured on all tires used in the ongoing F1 world championship season, underscoring this noteworthy achievement.
Key Takeaways:
- Formula 1 switches to Pirelli FSC tires, making Pirelli the first to produce a full range of FSC-certified motorsport tires.
- Pirelli, collaborating with FIA and Formula 1, leads in sustainable tire technology, focusing on reducing CO2 emissions.
- FSC-certified tires, meeting stringent environmental and social standards, result from a 2022 development program. The FSC logo signifies compliance, introduced in pre-season testing in Bahrain. Pirelli's Giovanni Tronchetti Provera emphasizes the fusion of performance and sustainability, recognized by FSC International Commercial Director Fabian Farkas.
Collaborating with the FIA and Formula 1, Pirelli emphasized its leading role in advancing research and development in new technologies. This commitment extends to both the technical and sporting aspects, complementing ongoing efforts to reduce CO2 emissions across the entire life cycle of a Formula 1 tire.
The FSC logo certifies that the natural rubber used in the tire meets the strict environmental and social standards set by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), a leading non-governmental organization focused on sustainable forestry.
Following a rigorous development program initiated in 2022, the FSC-certified tires have been introduced, demonstrating notable improvements in reliability and performance. Announced on October 10 last year when Pirelli extended its global tire partnership with Formula 1 until at least 2027, this certification will apply to all tires used on the race track. The implementation began with pre-season testing in Bahrain from February 21-23.
Commenting on the matter, Giovanni Tronchetti Provera, Pirelli Executive Vice President for Motorsport, Sustainability, and Future Mobility, said:
"The debut of our FSC-certified tyres in the world of motorsport represents a significant moment in Pirelli’s sustainability journey. In 2021 we were first to equip a road car with FSC-certified tyres, and now we are proud to be the first do so in motorsport as well.
“Formula 1 is an extraordinary open-air laboratory for us. It allows us not only to design and test new technology as well as improve research and development processes for roadgoing tyres, but also but also to unite maximum performance, typical of the demanding motorsport environment, with commitment towards an increasingly sustainable world.”
Forest Stewardship Council International Commercial Director, Fabian Farkas, commented:
“The FSC logo and certification are the reference standard for sustainable forest management. The automotive industry needs to react to alleviate the pressure that natural rubber production places on forest ecosystems and communities.
"We applaud Pirelli’s leadership in confronting the complex environmental and socio-economic challenges within the natural rubber value chain. This initiative shows that performance and sustainability can co-exist side by side, and the FSC is ready to support companies at a global level to follow this example.”