Pirelli bows out of WRC

Michelin will return to the World Rally Championship next year while current supplier Pirelli has finally decided it will not return to the sport as a result of new tire rules.

“In December, we tendered for another three-year deal to supply tires to the WRC," said Pirelli's motorsports director Paul Hembery. “Once again, our tender included finance for continued investment in the Pirelli Star Driver scheme, which we financed from its inception in 2008. That three-year tender was rejected and we were offered a one-year extension on the same terms as the current three-year deal. But that was then changed again to a one-year deal under brand-new conditions, which at this point became unacceptable. Finally, we were presented with the current regulations, which we feel represents neither a control tire nor competition.

"It's our belief that these rules have serious limitations, and we've communicated our concerns to the FIA, which is why we will not be supplying tires to the WRC next year."