Pirelli had announced it would withdraw from Formula 1 after the current contract expires, but motorsports director Dario Marrafuschi is leaving the door open
Will Pirelli remain Formula 1’s tire supplier beyond 2028? The Italian company, whose contract was recently extended via a clause, is by no means opposed to the idea. The general sentiment is that if Formula 1 and the FIA are interested, they could certainly see themselves continuing.
“We are a global partner and, above all, a technological partner. So if the FIA and Formula 1 were to express interest in continuing the partnership with Pirelli, we would certainly discuss it in due course,” Pirelli’s head of motorsports, Dario Marrafuschi, emphasized to Motorsport.com Italy,
However, he added that at the moment it is still “far too early” to decide how Pirelli intends to shape its future beyond 2028.
Just a month ago, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) activated a clause in its contract with the manufacturer that extends the partnership for another year. In the contract originally signed in 2023, Pirelli had committed to Formula 1 for the 2025–2027 seasons—with an option to extend.
The fact that the FIA has expressed its confidence in the Italian company has been well received at Pirelli: “This one-year extension is undoubtedly proof of our ongoing commitment and the reputation we have built up over the years,” emphasizes Marrafuschi, who sees his company as a “mainstay” of the premier class.
“Formula 1 is a highly technological environment dominated by innovation, but it’s about more than that. It’s also about the trust we’ve earned from all stakeholders and partners, especially Formula 1 management, the FIA, and all the teams we supply with tires and provide engineering advice to during race weekends,” he says.
“All of this makes us extremely proud of the work we’ve done.”
Pirelli has been the sole tire supplier for Formula 1 since 2011 and prevailed over rival Bridgestone—which had been seeking a return to the championship—in the most recent bidding process for 2023.
At the time, however, Pirelli had made it clear that the new contract period would be its last, as there was little left to achieve in Formula 1 to further strengthen the brand. Apparently, though, the final word hasn’t been spoken yet…
