Currently reading: Pirelli set for F1 tyre supply

Italian tyre supplier sees off Michelin to supply tyres for the 2011 F1 season

Pirelli will be named as Formula One’s sole tyre supplier from 2011, according to reports.

The Italian company has been locked in a straight fight with Michelin to replace Bridgestone and the Formula One Teams Assocation (FOTA) is believed to have named Pirelli as its preferred choice.

According to Autosport, the FIA and Formula One Management (FOM) will work with Pirelli on commercial terms and a deal could be announced over the weekend.

The deal is expected to see F1 continuing to use 13-inch wheels, rather than the 18-inch rims Michelin was proposing, and there will be no tyre war until 2013 at the earliest.

Pirelli last supplied tyres for the sport in 1991.

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AndyRAC 28 May 2010

Re: Pirelli set for F1 tyre supply

bruh_la wrote:

think its a shame F1 run on silly donut tyres when the rest of the automotive world uses low profile tyres.... 18 inch are more relevant to road cars and in formula were they are allowed they are used exclusively.

For example LMP rules state MAX 18 inch ...the designers could use 13 inch if they wanted, but they do not.

In contrast F1 rules give the actual size they MUST use.

Ha ha, that is because LMP is superior to F1. No 'spec' tyre, no restriction on cylinders, etc F1 is just a glorified 'Spec' series. Overblown and over promoted, that occasionally produces good races - when it rains!!

Uncle Mellow 28 May 2010

Re: Pirelli set for F1 tyre supply

All interested parties keep saying they want to cut costs. If rim size was increased from 13" there would be much more room for brakes. They could go back to using steel discs, which would be much cheaper and much safer.

bruh_la 28 May 2010

Re: Pirelli set for F1 tyre supply

I think its a shame F1 run on silly donut tyres when the rest of the automotive world uses low profile tyres.... 18 inch are more relevant to road cars and in formula were they are allowed they are used exclusively.

For example LMP rules state MAX 18 inch ...the designers could use 13 inch if they wanted, but they do not.

In contrast F1 rules give the actual size they MUST use.