FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) confirmed the agreement Italian tyre manufacturer Pirelli in order to become Formula One's sole tyre supplier from 2011 to 2013. Bridgestone announced last year that it would leave F1 at the end of 2010 season, throwing open the prestigious position after being involved in the sport so many years. Although Pirelli has been the favourite supplier over Michelin, the decision needed to be ratified by the WMSC and the teams and negotiations were too tight the latest months.
The official statement by the FIA follows:
"Pirelli has been selected as the single tyre supplier for the FIA Formula One World Championship for a period of three years, commencing in 2011. The sole supplier will undertake to strictly respect the sporting and technical regulations implemented by the FIA. Following current Formula One regulations laid down by the FIA, the new contract ensures that Pirelli will provide teams with six different types of tyre for the season.
Although Pirelli but also Michelin have asked a modification to the rules and an introduction of a 18-inch rims, it is that the main reason current rules will remain unchanged is because of the long delay in the appointment of Bridgestone's successor as teams recently agreed to commence the designs of their 2011 cars on the basis of Bridgestone's 2010-specification tyre.
Pirelli CEO and chairman Marco Tronchetti Provera says that the company’s new involvement in F1 will in effect not cost anything, because the 13 teams are paying.
In addition, the company is scaling back other motor sport activities, notably the WRC. That will help to release funds for F1 capacity at Pirelli’s motor sport facility in Turkey, where the F1 tires will be built.
"The experience of our people has been growing. And in the last few years we organized in Turkey an investment, which is dedicated to motor sport, where we have competencies and a willingness to do better and better. We will supply starting next year F1, and we have this opportunity thanks to the fact the world is changing.
F1 understands also the problem of suppliers, and we have been able to reach an agreement to serve F1 with what they need in terms of tires, and they have been helpful with us, the different teams, paying us for the service.
At the end of the day for us, the cost, taking into account all items, will be zero compared to our budget. The advertising campaign, which is linked to F1, will be switched from other races where we reduce our presence. First of all for rallying, where there are new rules starting next year. We were the only supplier, and there will be starting next year different suppliers, so we will definitely reduce and will move these investments to F1. We will reduce our budget on other races, and we will be fully dedicated to F1.
Provera denied that Pirelli had any problems with Jean Todt, despite the FIA president apparently favoring Michelin’s bid.
Pirelli will take over as the tire supplier of Formula One next season. (Photo: LAT Photographic)
“There’s no issue between us and FIA," Provera said. "I personally spoke with Jean Todt; he knows that we are committed to this, and he also mentioned the commitment of the FIA in order to make our life normal and easy to be ready for the first F1 race of next season.”
Maurizio Boiocchi, Head of R&D, said that F1 tire development is already well under way.
"We have already met FOTA, the organization for the teams, in order to clarify and have all the details in terms of technical information needed to develop and supply tires accordingly with their request. We have simulations and calculations in line with their expectations, so we have started already developing our tires."
Concerning the move to 18-inch rims for 2013 is still on the agenda, but has yet to be confirmed.
"This is not only in our hands; we have to develop pros and cons, relating tire and vehicle technologies, in order to match data and development times.
Furthermore, it is strongly believed that Pirelli will use Toyota's ex-headquarters in Cologne and Nick Heidfeld as a driver for the testing of the new tyres.
