Pirelli wants to join the dance

For some time now, we have been announcing a tire war for the 2011 season. Today casinoenligne.uk.com can confirm that Pirelli, the Italian tire giant, is ready to start negotiations with Formula 1 teams to outline a future supply contract.

Pirelli, the 5th largest tire manufacturer in the world, experienced its last moments of glory in F1 between 1989 and 1991 (last victory at the Canadian GP with Nelson Piquet on Benetton). Its involvement in motorsport is significant since the company, created by Giovanni Battista Pirelli in 1872, is the exclusive supplier of the WRC, and is also present in FIA GT, Grand AM, Ferrari Challenge, as well as in motorcycle racing, notably in Superbike.

This week, during an investors meeting, the holding company’s executives gave the green light to assess a return to Grand Prix racing competition.

Currently, the various teams on the grid are in the midst of reflecting on their “tire” future. Michelin and Avon Cooper have taken the lead for 2011 by offering them supply contracts.

Paul Hembury, the director of motorsport at Pirelli, explains that the company’s decision was driven by the fact that F1 might switch to 18-inch rims, and that the teams are now ready to accept appropriate commercial conditions for a tire supplier.

He states: «Nothing is concrete yet, but we believe there’s a real possibility for the wheel size to increase to 18 inches, and considering that the commercial reality has really changed compared to previous years, F1 is something we are now seriously considering. We have always kept in touch with the FIA and the F1 promoter, it’s something that continues year after year. We have been made aware of the current situation in F1 and that’s really what has led us to analyze our situation.»

As Michelin wants to return to the business by demanding the presence of real competition for the word competition to take on its full meaning, Pirelli, through Hembery’s statement, has clearly announced its desire to be an exclusive supplier:

«We cannot rule out a tire war for now, but given the current times, I don’t think it’s wise to spend large sums of money on tire development. Of course, there are ups and downs; at a certain point, it might be the right approach, but for now, teams are more interested in reducing costs.»

For Pirelli, the first step is to conduct its feasibility study; then it will be time to start a dialogue with the teams. Hembery admits that it will be complicated to be in the running for the year 2011, but for him, nothing is impossible.

« Being there next year is very ambitious, but you should never say never. If the commercial conditions are good, and from our point of view we believe it’s the right direction, and if the proposal presented is approved by our board of directors and by the FIA, then we’ll see where we stand. »

Regarding the choice of their tire partner, many teams have set the Spanish GP as their deadline. The later arrival of Pirelli could lead many of them to postpone their decisions.

The Americans associated with the English face the French and Koreans, while the Italians are starting to emerge, the tire planet is preparing for a world war.