Pirelli boss reveals why a tire war in F1 could be 'fantastic'

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Pirelli boss reveals why a tire war in F1 could be 'fantastic'

The Italian manufacturer has exclusively supplied F1 tyres for well over a decade

GPFans Staff

Friday 10 May 2024 19:00

Pirelli's director of motorsport Mario Isola has revealed the positives and negatives to tyre wars.

Pirelli have been the sole suppliers of tyres to Formula 1 since 2011, when they took over from Bridgestone.

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In 2023, it was announced that this partnership would continue until 2027 (with the option of an additional year) despite ambition from Bridgestone itself to return to the sport.

If they take up the extra season, it will mark 18 consecutive campaigns that Pirelli have exclusively provided tyres to F1. The new contract includes provisions for F2 and F3, also.

Engineers work on a Pirelli soft compound tyre

Pirelli have been the sole tyre supplier in F1 since 2011

Tyre wars 'fantastic'... if you win

In the previous season, the tyre war led to one of F1's most infamous races, when at the United States Grand Prix, all fourteen drivers running Michelin tyres retired after the formation lap. This move came after Michelin tyres had failed in practice at Indianapolis' banked turn.

Pirelli boss Isola does not want tyres to become the centre of attention in F1 again, but remembers his own tyre war experiences well.

"Obviously for us, a tyre company, it adds an additional... you are part of the team, you are part of the result, you develop tyres that can make a difference," he told The Drive.

"So it's a different approach. But now, even if we are the sole supplier, still you have a different technical challenge.

Sergio Perez locks up his Pirelli tyre in Miami

"In the past with [a] tyre war, I believe that sometimes, the final result of the race was defined too much by the tyres," he added.

"We need to be sure that the final classification is for the best driver first, and the best car second. Not the best tyre: this is a situation that is for the sport, not ideal.

"For the tyre manufacturer, it's fantastic—if you win! First of all, I am a motorsport fan, and I [am] lucky enough to work in an environment that I like.

"But as a motorsport fan, the real hero for me is the driver first and the team that is able to develop the best car."

Formula 1 United States Grand Prix Pirelli