Pirelli has said that it is not considering a return to Formula One following the news on Monday that Bridgestone will no longer be a fixture in the sport from 2011 onwards. With the F1’s sole tyre supplier due to leave after just one more season, more changes are imminent.
With Michelin having pulled out of F1 at the end of 2006 as Bridgestone was selected as sole supplier for 2008 onwards, the Japanese company effectively inherited the role prematurely in 2007. This week, however, Bridgestone joins Toyota in being another major Japanese company to walk away from the sport.
With governing body the FIA now on the lookout for a new supplier, Pirelli has ruled itself out. "Pirelli’s previous position on F1 hasn’t changed." a spokeswoman for the Italian firm is quoted as saying by Reuters. "Pirelli prefers to develop tyres for racing that will also be used on the road. Pirelli sponsors Superbikes, the World Rally Championship and GT2."
The Milan-based company has started 203 Grands Prix in the past, with the first ever Formula One win – courtesy of Giuseppe Farina’s Alfa Romeo – coming on Pirelli tyres at Silverstone in 1950. The Benetton of Nelson Piquet’s clinched the last Pirelli Grand Prix victory to date for in Canada in 1991.
Filed under: News, Season 2011 | Tagged: Formula One, News, Pirelli, Season 2011, Tyre Supplier
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