Pirelli is now reportedly linked to F1 until 2018
Pirelli is said to have signed a five-year contract with the FIA to remain the sole manufacturer for the Formula 1 World Championship until the end of the 2018 season.
The World Motor Sport Council held at the end of last week confirmed Pirelli as the sole manufacturer for F1 for the next season, but did not specify the exact duration of the Milanese brand’s commitment.
« Pirelli can continue to supply tires to participants of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, provided they adhere to technical and safety standards, » explained the FIA statement.
Many believed that this statement extended Pirelli’s contract for another year, thus leaving the door open for competitors like Michelin to enter. But according to Pitpass, the Italian manufacturer is indeed set to continue in F1 for the long term as it has reportedly committed for the next five years, from 2014 to 2018.
The continuation with Pirelli is quite logical because despite the problems encountered, especially at Silverstone, the teams collaborated with the Italian brand to resolve everything and all the teams on the grid designed their 2014 cars assuming Pirelli tires would be used. This extension of the partnership also allows Pirelli to commit long-term, especially to make people forget the recent negative press.
