Pirelli's Paul Hembery Confirms Italian Tire Maker Submits Bid To Remain F1 Supplier

Pirelli Motorsport Dir Paul Hembery said that current F1 tire supplier Pirelli "has tendered for the next three-year tire contract" from '17, with Michelin as its only rival, according to Alan Baldwin of REUTERS. Hembery: "We did tender, yes, and there are two people that tendered. There are definitely only two bidders." French tire maker Michelin said this week that it had tendered by the June 17 deadline "but dependent on the sport switching to bigger and more durable" 18-inch tires. The current wheel diameter is 13 inches, but the FIA tender document said that "this should not preclude an increase in diameter" if the tire manufacturer feels there "may be advantages to the competitors by doing so." Hembery said that Pirelli's tender was "in accordance with the current rules, although the Italian company was open to any suggestion" (REUTERS, 6/19).