Pirelli shy away from potential Bridgestone Formula 1 threat

Pirelli has declined to address the prospect of Bridgestone bidding to replace it as Formula 1's tyre supplier when its current contract expires at the end of 2028.

The Italian manufacturer has held exclusive supply rights since taking over from Bridgestone in 2011, and the FIA triggered a one-year option in June 2026 that extended Pirelli's deal through 2028.

It is understood the next tender process, covering the 2029 season onwards, would be launched by the FIA around early 2027.

RacingNews365 understands that Bridgestone, which supplied F1 from 1997 to 2010 and served as sole supplier from 2007, is understood to be mounting fresh technical and commercial preparations to bid for the post-2028 contract.

The Japanese manufacturer previously lost out to Pirelli in the 2023 tender for the 2025 to 2027 cycle, despite having a bid that reportedly received technical approval from the FIA before commercial terms were finalised in Pirelli's favour.

Asked about the prospect of competing with Bridgestone for the next contract cycle, Pirelli's head of motorsport business, Dario Marrafuschi, played down any sense of concern, speaking to media including RacingNews365.

Asked about other manufacturers recently attending F1 grands prix, and whether he had any concerns, Marrafuschi said: "Everyone is open to going and seeing any race, frankly speaking

"So no, I don't have any comment on the future. It's well known that there are still two years of contracts.

"The selection for after this period is in the hands of the FIA. We don't play a role. We are just focused on what we need to do for next season and the following one as well, which is quite a lot. It's really too early to discuss anything for this period."

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Pirelli to 'look at the process'

Pressed on whether Pirelli intends to pursue a further extension beyond 2028, Marrafuschi gave little away.

"It's really too early to speak about that," he said.

"If we think of two years ago, we wouldn't have imagined where we are now. So that is also the case in two years from now. It's really too early. We are focused on what we are doing now.

"We will look at the process, of course, and consider what's going to happen, but it's in the hands of the FIA to decide what we need to do."

Any future tender is expected to weigh technical performance, safety, logistics and sustainability credentials, alongside commercial terms negotiated with Formula One Management, before the FIA makes its final call.