Pirelli Confirmed as Formula One Tire Supplier

As expected, Pirelli will supply tires to the Formula One World Championship for a three-year period between 2011 and 2013.
Pirelli will take over from Bridgestone, which had previously announced its departure from Formula One at the end of this season.
The FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile), the Teams, represented by FOTA (the Formula One Teams Association), and Formula One’s organizing body, represented by FOM (Formula One Management) have chosen Pirelli as their exclusive supplier, based on the specific proposals from the Italian company to guarantee technical and operational stability to the competitors.
The official announcement by the tire supplier and Formula One organizers confirms what had been considered virtually a done deal since Pirelli announced its intention to make a bid.
Following current Formula One regulations laid down by world motorsport’s governing body, the FIA, the new contract ensures that Pirelli will provide teams with six different types of tire for the season: four slicks, with different compounds for various types of dry surfaces, one rain tire for heavy rain, and one intermediate tire for damp conditions or light rain.
The current economic climate has led to a realistic and collaborative approach with all the teams, ensuring that manufacturing and logistical costs are shared fairly.
Pirelli’s return to Formula One also has a firm eye on the future, with full collaboration with all teams. Research into innovative new tire developments is a vital part of this program.
Pirelli is has also announced that it will supply the GP2 World Series – the stepping-stone to Formula One – for the three-year period between 2011- 2013.
Pirelli’s latest participation at the highest levels of single-seater racing puts it as the key tire supplier for every ladder series leading up to F1 as this year it also signed a tire supply agreement for the inaugural GP3 series. Pirelli will consequently become the single supplier to all the most prestigious racing championships in the world from 2011.
“Pirelli is planning to make important investments in corporate communications, in order to make the most of the high profile and cutting-edge technology that go hand in hand with supplying Formula One, using resources and budget that has already been set aside for this purpose,” says a statement from the company.
“This communications campaign will principally help to support Pirelli’s increasing profile in emerging markets: Latin America, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, which are all areas frequently visited by Formula One.
“Consequently Formula One will become a vital calling card for the Pirelli brand, helping its commercial and industrial expansion without disrupting the company’s long-term financial strategy.”