Pirelli has a rival for 2020 contract

  • Published on 01 Sep 2018 14:02
  • comments 4
  • By: Fergal Walsh

The FIA has confirmed that at least one bidder has rivalled Pirelli to become Formula 1's official tyre supplier from 2020-2023. Pirelli has been F1's tyre supplier since 2011, but its current contract is set to expire at the end of the 2019 season.

Michelin stated during the Italian Grand Prix weekend that it was not interested in entering Formula 1. However, officials from Hankook were seen in the Monza paddock, leading to speculation that the South Korean company is interested in joining the series.

Hankook supplies tyres to the European Formula 3 Championship as well as DTM, Germany's leading touring car championship. FIA president Jean Todt confirmed that multiple responses have been received to the FIA’s tender for a 2020-2023 official F1 tyre supplier.

“The ending of the tender was last night at midnight,” said Todt. “I don’t have the result yet of who has been applying for the tender. "I know it’s more than one, that I know. I knew since a while now, before August, that Michelin was not going to compete for the tender.”

Pirelli is interested in extending its contract with F1 following the 2019 season: “I can confirm that we are interested in the tender,” said Pirelli F1 boss Mario Isola. “I can confirm that we sent the application. The technical document from the FIA is quite detailed, and we are happy to discuss it.

“As I’ve said in the past, our approach is to work together to find the best solution. They will probably have quite a lot of technical working groups, because it’s not just 18-inch tyres that are part of the package, and also the characteristics of the tyres need to be discussed.”

The FIA will spend the next couple of weeks studying the bids. When it decides which of the bids are acceptable, the tender will be passed to the F1 organisation who will analyse and decide on the potential commercial aspects.

Replies (4)

Login to reply
  • f1dave

    Posts: 782

    Three guesses who they'l choose.

    • + 0
    • Sep 1 2018 - 16:18
  • MADMICK

    Posts: 19

    Now if it was Bernie then I would agree it would be a formality but perhaps the FIA will go with the best bid and company most likely to deliver the goods. However if Jean Todt is in charge perhaps his Italian connections will sway the deal.

    • + 0
    • Sep 1 2018 - 19:52
  • Hepp

    Posts: 200

    I vote for Hankook. I have run with them since 1991. Firestone was previous. From Dirt bikes to tarmack Sprint car ovals ... they seem to come up with the superior grip ... for me.

    • + 0
    • Sep 1 2018 - 20:48
    • I'd prefer to see Bridgestone back, but I dont see that happening, and Hankook has a good record overall, so wont mind having them on board.

      • + 0
      • Sep 2 2018 - 08:26

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2023

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
3 - Mar 5
Bahrain
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia
31 - Apr 2
Australia
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan
5 - May 7
United States of America
19 - May 21
Italy
26 - May 28
Monaco
2 - Jun 4
Spain
16 - Jun 18
Canada
30 - Jul 2
Austria
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom
21 - Jul 23
Hungary
28 - Jul 30
Belgium
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands
1 - Sep 3
Italy
15 - Sep 17
Singapore
22 - Sep 24
Japan
20 - Oct 22
United States of America
27 - Oct 29
Mexico
3 - Nov 5
Brazil
17 - Nov 19
United States of America
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
3 - Mar 5
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
31 - Apr 2
Australia Albert Park
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
5 - May 7
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
19 - May 21
26 - May 28
Monaco Monte Carlo
2 - Jun 4
16 - Jun 18
30 - Jul 2
Austria Red Bull Ring
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom Silverstone
21 - Jul 23
Hungary Hungaroring
28 - Jul 30
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
1 - Sep 3
Italy Monza
15 - Sep 17
22 - Sep 24
20 - Oct 22
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
27 - Oct 29
3 - Nov 5
Brazil Interlagos
17 - Nov 19
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar