Jun.7 (GMM) Pirelli has won the race to become F1’s new sole tyre supplier beginning in 2011.
The same news was reported by multiple sources prior to the Turkish grand prix, but Michelin then made a last-ditch attempt to woo the teams by calling a meeting in the paddock of the Istanbul Park circuit.
Once again, after yet another non-grand prix week of negotiations, it is believed that Milan-based Pirelli has secured the deal.
As was also the case prior to Turkey, it is more than one source within the Italian media that is hinting at the latest development.
The authoritative daily La Gazzetta dello Sport, for one, claims that the finishing touches are being made to a contract that will be signed by the end of the week.
Prior to Turkey, it was reported that the Pirelli deal for 2011-2013 was to cost teams 1 million euros apiece per season, in exchange for identical attention and service and a range of just three compounds: soft, medium and hard.
At least initially, the tyres will be in a similar 13-inch specification to the current Bridgestone product, with a longer-term ambition being a move to a low profile.
It had also been reported that Pirelli, already the supplier of the new GP3 series as well as world rally, is likely to also supply GP2 next year.
Pirelli was last in F1 in 1991.
