F1 and Pirelli open to new tyre war

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has not ruled out the return of a potential tyre war to Grand Prix racing - but only if the right conditions are met.

Pirelli was announced as being the successful applicant for the 2025-2027 [with the option of a further year] tyre tender on Tuesday [October 10] meaning it will have been F1's exclusive tyre supplier for 17 seasons since 2011 by the end of the three-year deal.

It took over the supply from Bridgestone after its withdrawal at the end of 2010, with 2006 being the last season two different suppliers were involved.

A return of a tyre war has been ruled out previously on cost measures, with the rationale being that a war between rival suppliers would drive costs up at a time the sport was trying to scale back.

A tyre war in F1?

"The point [to have a single tyre supplier], was taken with the FIA to make sure that we were able to control the cost for the ecosystem of Formula 1," Domenicali told select media including RacingNews365.

"That was the main reason we moved away from the tyre competition, when we had a lot of testing, a lot of mileage, a lot of research, it was really beneficial but the cost was really [high].

"Therefore for that reason we moved from that direction to the new situation [of a sole supplier], and it is too premature to consider that this could be a real possibility for the future.

"But in the situation where cost control is very relevant, I would say that we haven't decided for sure, but it is not yet on the agenda to see if this could be a possibility for the future.

"It is a point of relevance because in the future, if we are able to control the different costs, then why not?

"So far, it is not on the agenda of discussions together with the FIA and with the teams."

Pirelli's Executive Vice-President Marco Provera added: "It is important to underline that Pirelli is participating in more than 300 championships around the world in the motorsport business.

"In most of them, there are other suppliers and we are happy to compete with other suppliers, it was never an issue for us.

"For us, it has always been an opportunity, competing with others as we do, providing tyres for prestige and premium cars.

"We are very happy because it is an opportunity to prove our technology."

Would you like to see a tyre war return to F1? Let us know in the comments below and by voting in the poll!