Pirelli’s Formula 1 Contract Continues
As Formula 1s current contract is ending next year, the FIA opened a tender for tyre manufacturers to apply to be the supplier of tyres after Pirellis current contract expires.
Both Bridgestone and Pirelli threw their hats in the ring to vie for F1s attention to be the next official tyre supplier for Formula 1 racing globally.
Pirelli have outbid Bridgestone, meaning that they are locked in for the 2025, 2026 and 2027 seasons of F1, with the option to continue supplying tyres for the 2028 season.
Bridgestone hasn’t been the official tyre supplier since 2010 and bidded fiercely for the contract, resulting in much higher fees for Pirelli moving forward.
Starting in 2024, all tyres used in the F1 series will be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, following on from research and technology used to create the world's first FSC-certified tyre, created by Pirelli in 2021.
Pirellis’ Tyre Technology
We periodically take a look at what Pirelli is doing in terms of pushing tyre technology forward, and this year we have some cool new tech to check out.
Pirelli seems to be leaning in the direction of tyres being a smart component of your vehicle, no longer are they just fitted to your wheels, your tyres will soon be able to provide real time data back to your vehicle in order to provide greater safety capabilities.
FSC Certification
We briefly mentioned Pirellis’ FSC commitment earlier, but their involvement in responsible manufacturing techniques deserves more attention.
According to the Forest Stewardship Council, over 70% of global rubber production is purchased and used by the tyre industry, making tyre manufacturers a crucial target for implementing sustainable rubber growth strategies.
Countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Guatemala are seeing large percentages of their rubber production becoming FSC-certified, meaning that everything from environmental concerns, workers rights, sensible land management plans and supporting local communities are being overseen by the FSC.
Pirelli Cyber Tyre
Up until now, tyres are a relatively passive car component. They get fitted to your wheels and they eventually wear out. That’s about it.
TPMS (tyre pressure monitoring systems) were the first step towards a ‘smart tyre’, meaning that real-time tyre pressure information could be relayed back to the car, in order to have early detection of potential issues such as punctures or leaks. More modern TPMS sensors also relay tyre temperature information, giving you and your vehicle more information about what your tyres are doing and what condition they’re in.
As opposed to current TPMS sensors, Pirellis’ ‘Cyber Tyre’ technology is a system that actually embeds sensors into the tyre and is capable of sensing and sending much more information than a standard TPMS setup can.
The goal of Cyber Tyre is to enhance safety, performance and efficiency by more closely linking a tyres capabilities with that of your vehicle. Aside from temperate and pressure, Cyber Tyre has several key improvements:
Pirelli Connesso
Pirelli Connesso is designed to work alongside Cyber Tyre technology. While Cyber Tyre tech relates to the tyres themselves and what information they can collect, Pirelli Connesso is the system through which this information is gathered and used by your vehicle.
Pirelli Connesso is a digital service that not only provides the same functionality as traditional Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems, but can even measure and report back on tyre temperatures and even real time tyre wear information.
Pirelli Connesso is a technology-driven solution that empowers drivers with real-time tyre data, enhances safety, increases efficiency, and contributes to a more convenient and informed tyre ownership experience.
It's designed to make tyre management easier and more effective by leveraging connectivity and smart sensors.
Pirelli Elect
Pirelli's Elect technology is a tyre technology that is designed to meet the needs of electric and hybrid vehicles. Tyres for electric vehicles need to take into account the unique characteristics and demands of electric powertrains to provide optimised performance, safety, and efficiency. Here are some key aspects and features of Pirelli's Elect technology:
Pirelli's Elect technology aims to address the specific needs of electric and hybrid vehicles, optimising tyre performance and contributing to the overall efficiency, safety, and comfort of these vehicles. These tyres may be available in different models and sizes to cater to various electric and hybrid vehicle applications.
Get your Pirelli tyres at Tyrepower Kogarah
Kogarah Tyrepower is the ultimate Pirelli dealership, servicing surrounding suburbs, including Hurstville, Sans Souci, Arncliffe, and the St George area.
Visit our tyre shop at 7 Lindsay St, Rockdale, or give us a call on (02) 9587 3366 for expert advice, top tier tyre products and outstanding customer service.