F1 News: Pirelli Defends Its Position In Formula 1 As Competitors Push For Takeover

Pirelli, the current tyre supplier for Formula 1, cautions that the battle for the next F1 tire contract is notably more complex, especially with Bridgestone's renewed interest in the deal.

The tender process for the tyre supply contract for the period 2025 to 2027, with an option for 2028, was initiated by the FIA earlier this year and has now moved to the second phase. Pirelli and Bridgestone seem to be among the contenders for the contract, even though Bridgestone's participation hasn't been officially confirmed by the FIA.

The race to clinch the contract is far from simple, according to Pirelli F1's boss, Mario Isola, as quoted by Motorsport.com:

“I can say that the tender document was much more complicated than in the past.

“There are a lot of added sections and elements compared to the previous one we signed up for. There is a big part that is related to sustainability, but also to our ability to deliver a product with certain characteristics, a service with certain characteristics and to a number of engineers. We had to work hard to collect all the papers for this."

In the past thirteen years, Pirelli has endeavoured to meet the requirements imposed by F1, according to Isola. The company has not only adapted its products to the changing needs of the sport but also actively participated in promoting it. Isola continued:

"Over the past thirteen years, we have always done our best to meet the requirements imposed.

"From 2011 it was tyres with a lot of wear, then came the new power unit, the wider tires and then the tires for 18-inch rims. Then came more wear, followed by less wear. We have always adapted our product to different needs.

"On top of that we have been very active in terms of promotion and marketing, helping with the wishes of the promoter and the FIA. I think our role is not one of a sponsor, but a partner. And we want to be that We want to be part of the sport, not because we want to impose things, but because it means working well with our stakeholders and talking to the teams and drivers."

Despite the arrival of Bridgestone as a contender, Pirelli maintains its approach to the contract. "To be honest, I don't know what their approach is, so I can't say anything about that," Isola confessed, emphasising that they are not aware of their opponent's strategies, if indeed Bridgestone is one.