Pirelli eyes F1
We reported last week that, after a shareholder's meeting of the Italian company, chairman Marco Tronchetti Provera said Pirelli might be interested in entering F1 if certain conditions are met.
He said that if the permitted diameter of F1 tires is increased, and providing the arrangement makes financial sense, Pirelli would "look into this (F1) world with greater attention".
But in the wake of his comments, the F1 teams alliance FOTA met on Wednesday of this week, and Williams' Sam Michael emerged confirming that the bulk of the conversation centered on a choice between Michelin and Avon.
However, Pirelli said in a statement on Thursday that it will now "present … an offer for the supply of tires to all the teams in the F1 championship".
The marque said the presentation will take place in Barcelona ahead of next weekend's Spanish grand prix.
04/22/10 (GMM) A third name has emerged as a potential supplier of formula one tires in 2011.
It has been confirmed that Michelin, favored by the FOTA group, as well as Avon-Cooper – believed to be favored by Bernie Ecclestone and small F1 teams due to its lower-cost proposal – are in the running to replace the departing official supplier Bridgestone.
Milan-based Pirelli said late last year that it did not want to enter F1 because it "prefers to develop tires for racing that will also be used on the road".
But after a shareholder's meeting in Milan on Wednesday, chairman Marco Tronchetti Provera said Pirelli might rethink its attitude if certain conditions are met.
Like Michelin, he said Pirelli wants the diameter of F1's tires to be increased from 13 to 18 inches, and would also need to supply its product with an economic benefit to the company.
According to Italian reports including ANSA and the Milan daily Il Giornale, Tronchetti Provera added that if those conditions can be met, Pirelli would "look into this (F1) world with greater attention".
He insisted however that at the moment "there is nothing" more to the rumors.