PIRELLI AND F1: ANOTHER QUADRENNIAL OF RACING

The end of the season, in any sport, always carries a bittersweet flavor: while the celebrations of the winners and the discontent of the losers are clearly visible as the final products, there is another world—one of financial reports and end-of-year statements—that not everyone considers.

Thus, with the driver market buzzing and exciting the fan bases, it’s time to take stock in Formula 1. However, this time, the focus isn’t on any specific team but rather on the entire system. The news yesterday was about the contract extension between Pirelli and the FOM (Formula One Management) for the annual supply of tires until 2023. The agreement, signed by the leaders of both companies, suggests a sense of satisfaction from the Federation with the work that the Italian company has done in recent years.

Jean Todt, President of the FIA, commented on the recent developments: “I am happy to know that Pirelli is involved for another period as the official tire supplier for the FIA F1 World Championship, as it allows us to benefit from the experiences gained together since 2011. We are aware of how difficult the task of a tire supplier is in motorsport, especially in Formula 1.” Similarly, Pirelli’s CEO and Vice President Marco Tronchetti Provera described F1 as “the pinnacle of racing” and “a perfect environment where Pirelli can implement all its technological innovations.”

But what innovations are we talking about? The first, already announced, will start in 2021: that year, in fact, will see a significant change in tire dimensions, from the standard 13-inch tires to 18 inches. This is a historic change, considering that 13-inch tires have been used in F1 for more than half a century.

From next season, moreover, the number of tire compounds available to the teams will be reduced: it will drop from seven to five types, with a potential increase in competitiveness regarding tire usage and wear.

Supplying tires in Formula 1 “is much more than ensuring there are enough tires for each car. There is a commercial package to consider, including trackside advertising and other commercial proposals that help enhance the show. Not to mention the technical capability required for innovation and the quality of a brand that can increase the value of Formula 1. With the various and important technical and regulatory changes expected for 2021, all these factors will be even more significant,” Pirelli explains.

The challenges are many: the next five years will reveal whether Pirelli will manage to implement technical modifications and improvements that will allow it to remain an Italian excellence in this field.

For us, armchair enthusiasts, all we can do is wait eagerly to find out, hoping that the snooze-worthy period of financial reports will pass as quickly as possible.