New contract Pirelli? 'Hope our commitment works in our favour'

Although the long-term future is uncertain, Pirelli is busy developing tyres that do not require tyre warmers. Rain tyres that do not require warming have now been introduced. The new intermediates should have been used from the Singapore Grand Prix, but the launch has been delayed. Indeed, about three teams have not yet been able to test with them, but they should be there at the start of the 2024 season.

'Demonstrated desire to invest in F1'

Whether tyre warmers will also be abolished for slicks will have to be seen after the Pirelli test at SIlverstone at the end of July. An F1 committee will meet then, which will decide whether the planned introduction for next year will go ahead. According to Isola, responsible for F1 within Pirelli, whether or not tyres without warmers are introduced is not going to affect the possible renewal of the contract. "The goal of making a tyre that works at low temperatures and does not overheat when it is very hot is going to be realised," the Italian told the Gazzetta.

Isola hopes Pirelli will factor in how much his company has meant to F1 when assessing the offer to remain a supplier. "In any case, we have shown that we have invested a lot in F1 and adapted to all the technological and marketing challenges we faced. There is now an important and technically well-prepared competitor [Bridgestone]. But I hope the experience and dedication over the past few years will work in our favour."