Pirelli to Take The Jump Back into Formula 1 for 2011 Tyre War

It has been reported that Pirelli have just started talks with Formula 1 teams about tyre supplier deals. Pirelli chiefs this week gave the green light to evaluate a return to grand prix racing.

Most teams are currently weighing up offers from Michelin and Avon Cooper about supply deals for 2011, but now Pirelli might be able to jump in and grab a few lucrative deals.

Pirelli’s director of motorsport, Paul Hembury, says the company’s stance has been prompted by the fact that F1 could switch to 18-inch rims, and that teams are now ready to accept proper commercial terms for an F1 tyre supplier.

“Nothing is concrete yet, but we understand that with the possibility of 18-inch tyres, and the fact that the commercial reality has changed compared to the previous environment, then F1 is something that we are now looking into,” Hembery told AUTOSPORT.

“We are always in contact, and remain in contact, with the FIA and the F1 promoter – and that is something that continues year on year. We’ve been aware of the ongoing situation in F1 and that is really what has led to our latest situation.”

Although Michelin has made it clear that it is most interested in a return to F1 if it faces a tyre war, Hembery says Pirelli would prefer to become a standard supplier.

“We wouldn’t rule out a tyre war at this moment, but at this current time I don’t think there is a huge appetite to spend large sums of money developing tyres to go faster,” he said. “Of course these things go in waves and at some point that may be the correct approach, but at the moment teams are more interested in bringing costs down.”