Pirelli Renew Formula One Tyre Contract Until 2019
Pirelli has been caught between the needs of promoter Bernie Ecclestone, who wants disintegrating tyres to increase the action, and drivers who complain they cannot go flat-out.
Pirelli will continue as the official supplier of tyres to Formula One until 2019, the sport's commercial ring-master Bernie Ecclestone indicated in Sochi on Sunday. (Mercedes Clinch 2015 Contructors Title)
Ecclestone met and shook hands with Pirelli chairman Marco Tronchetti Provera on the grid before the Russian Grand Prix and made clear in front of television cameras that a deal was agreed.
Ecclestone had considered both Pirelli and Michelin's bids to tender for the supply contract from 2017 to 2019.
Pirelli on Twitter stated: "Regarding the recent news, we can confirm that the commercial deal for 2017-2019 has been reached. The official procedure will follow."
One of the Italian company's conditions for renewing its contract was extra testing before the introduction of wider tyres which will make the cars faster in 2017.
Pirelli has been caught between the needs of promoter Bernie Ecclestone, who wants disintegrating tyres to increase the action, and drivers who complain they cannot go flat-out.