Pirelli, the official tyre supplier to the World Rally Championship, insists that it is not turning its back on the sport after deciding to submit a proposal to supply Formula One with tyres starting from next year.
The Italian company is coming to the end of a three-year deal to supply control tyres to the World Rally Championship and support championships. Pirelli has submitted a tender for the next three-year WRC deal, which is currently being considered by the FIA: world motorsport’s governing body.
Pirelli has subsequently indicated its intention to tender for the Formula One tyre supply deal by 9 May - the date of the Spanish Grand Prix - following Bridgetone’s decision to stand down as official supplier.
However, a Pirelli spokesman confirmed that the company’s aspirations in Formula One did not necessarily spell an end to its involvement in rallying. “We currently have no intention of leaving the WRC,” he said. “We consider both projects entirely separately and evaluate them both on their individual values and benefits.”
Pirelli has been the official supplier to the World Rally Championship since 2008, and has been involved in the sport since the series started in 1973. Its run of success means that Pirelli is rapidly approaching the milestone of its 200th WRC victory.