The FIA has named Pirelli Motorsport as the exclusive tyre supplier to World Rally Championship (WRC) from 2021 onward.
Following an e-vote on Friday, it has been decided that Italian manufacturer Pirelli will be the sole tyre supplier for WRC from 2021 onward, with the current deal running until the 2024 season, which covers RC1 (Rally1) and RC2 (Rally2) classes.
Pirelli was already named as an exclusive supplier to the Junior World Rally Championship, but it will now supply solely in the WRC class too. The Italian company won the bid against current suppliers Michelin, while Hankook and MRF Tyres too entered the process.
For the last few years, the lead WRC class had teams using Michelin tyres mostly along with majority of the WRC2 teams but Pirelli did supply to privateers and recently also won in WRC2 courtesy Petter Solberg in Rally Wales GB in a Volkswagen Polo R5.
FIA Rally Director Yves Matton, said: “This is an exciting new phase in the development of the World Rally Championship and we are happy to announce Pirelli as our exclusive single tyre supplier for a period of four years from 2021.
“I am convinced Pirelli will bring a wealth of experience to the program.” The announcement for the tyre manufacturer means they are to supply to two of the leading FIA championships, with F1 and now WRC as well.
The statement from the FIA stated:
“The company’s appointment was approved by an FIA World Motor Sport Council e-vote this week and follows a detailed tendering process. Pirelli has a long history in the World Rally Championship, having been present since the inaugural season in 1973, and amassing many wins and world titles over the years with some of the most successful teams and drivers in the sport.
“After a break in 2017, the Italian firm returned in 2018 with new products specifically suited to the multi-faceted demands of the sport on both gravel and asphalt. Pirelli is already the exclusive tyre supplier for the Junior World Rally Championship, which also includes a tyre package for the series’ winner.”
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