Pirelli announces its departure from WRC at the end of 2024

Pirelli Motorsport announced today that it will not participate in FIA's tyre tender this month which has a result the departure from World Rally Championship at the end of next year.

The Italian tyre brand became the exclusive tyre supplier in World Rally Championship in 2021 when it won the FIA's tyre tender in 2020 and signed a contract with the Federation for four years. FIA announced two months ago that there will be a tyre tender this September and the brands have to present four different types of tyres with the winner contender being set to be confirmed on October 19. So far, it is known that Michelin and MRF have expressed their interest to join World Rally Championsip in 2024 and to enter the FIA's tender with the view of becoming the exclusive WRC tyre supplier from 2024 to 2027. Last but not least, it must be mentioned that Pirelli scheduled a tyre development test earlier this week and Esapekka Lappi had the chance to test two improved tyres in Czech Republic.

"Pirelli has not submitted its candidature to supply the FIA World Rally Championship from 2025-2027", Pirelli's statement says. 

"As a result, the Italian firm will conclude its partnership as a single supplier to the WRC in 2024, having achieved the targets set three years ago at the start of the current contact. 

"Pirelli – present in more than 350 motorsport championships around the world – remains committed to rallying, and will continue its participation in all the other rally competitions in which it is currently involved. 

"These include the FIA European Rally Championship, won this year by Hayden Paddon in a Pirelli-equipped Hyundai. 

"The ERC is organised by the same promoter as the WRC, with a number of different tyre manufacturers taking part. 

"Pirelli is also present in more than 40 national rally championships worldwide, as well as a wide variety of other events for modern and historic rally cars".

Photo Credits: Hyundai