Pirelli is set to remain as the sole tyre supplier for Formula One through to at least the end of the 2019 season with a new three-year deal agreed to by F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.
In recent months, Michelin was vying to become the sport’s sole tyre supplier but ultimately, Ecclestone has kept faith with Italian tyre manufacturer Pirelli. A commercial deal has been signed with Ecclestone with final ratification by the FIA still needed to complete the deal.
Further specifics about the deal aren’t yet known but it will certainly create confidence within Pirelli after many teams and drivers have complained about its tyres in recent times. Prior to the new contract, Pirelli had proposed switching to larger wheels and lower-profile tyres and it’s likely that such a radical change is still on the cards.
For the 2015 season onwards, there is a possibility that Formula will also adopt wider rear tyres. They could increase in size from the current 360 mm up to 420 mm at the rear to dramatically increase the speed of the cars.
