An obvious tension was evident at Mugello when Pirelli’s Paul Hembery was asked about Michael Schumacher.

The seven time world champion had slammed F1′s official supplier after Bahrain, arguing that the 2012 tyres degrade so quickly it makes driving a grand prix car as slow as a safety car.

“We haven’t spoken,” Briton Hembery is quoted by Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport. “I’ve just read something on the net about the tyres from his teammate Nico Rosberg which is very different.”

Asked if Schumacher’s criticism was irritating, he answered: “We built the tyres the way we were asked to.

“The FIA, Bernie Ecclestone, even the teams wanted it this way. The spokesman for the teams at the time was Ross Brawn, Schumacher’s team boss.

“There have been four different winners in the four races so far, which alone shows that we must have done something right,” Hembery insisted. “As a fan I would be thrilled.”

Asked if he can at least understand Schumacher’s frustration, he continued: “The four winners this year have not won by chance.

“They were absolutely the best drivers in those races and all of them were faster than their teammates.

“I can understand that Michael was frustrated at the last race. Among the four winners so far were two Germans, and then you had Kimi (Raikkonen), who in the fourth race of his comeback is on the podium.

“Racers are winners; they’re not happy unless they’re winning.”

Hembery denied that tyres have, in 2012, become more important than the cars or drivers.

“That’s a misconception,” he insisted. “The driver has a huge impact.

“Anyway I’m convinced that at Silverstone at the latest the teams will have the problem under control. Just as they did last year.”

Finally, he insisted that Pirelli is not going to make any knee-jerk reactions.

“If there are 23 drivers satisfied and only one dissatisfied, then I don’t think we need to change something,” Hembery is quoted by Bild newspaper.

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, however, acknowledged a slight frustration.

“For the top teams it’s a bit frustrating,” he told La Stampa newspaper, “when it’s difficult to exploit all your potential.

“It’s like Real Madrid, Barcelona and AC Milan suddenly playing with the budget of Cesena.”

Pirelli boss Marco Tronchetti Provera has dismissed claims the Italian tyre marque might favour Ferrari this year.

With Ferrari naming its 2011 car F150 in tribute of Italian unification and painting a tri-colour on the rear wing, the national link between the Maranello marque and Milan-based Pirelli had raised some fears among Ferrari’s rivals.

But Tronchetti is quoted by Spain’s Diario AS newspaper: “We are a company, not a flag.”

He also said he is proud of Pirelli’s efforts so far as the marque returns to F1 in 2011.

“In a very short time, the drivers have said we (the tyres) have a great performance,” said Tronchetti.

A five-year contract for a formula one street race in the Italian capital was signed at Monza on Friday, Rome grand prix officials have announced.

Ahead of Italy’s existing race near Milan, they said that Rome would also feature on the calendar in 2012 or 2013, after the agreement was signed by Bernie Ecclestone and organiser Maurizio Flammini on Friday.

“Congratulations for the results he (Flammini) has delivered,” said Rome mayor Gianni Alemanno. “I hope Rome’s grand prix can start in 2012.”

The only obstacles are the objections of residents of Rome’s EUR district, and opponents who are fiercely protective of historic Monza remaining the only Italian F1 event.

Alemanno insisted: “The Monza race will remain — it won’t be destroyed by Rome’s.”

Rain appears unlikely to affect this weekend’s running of the Italian grand prix.

Arriving separately in the region near Milan late on Wednesday, Mark Webber and Heikki Kovalainen commented on heavy rain.

“It’s raining in Monza big time and thundering as well, hope it stays like this all weekend,” enthused Lotus driver Kovalainen.

It appears the Finn’s wishes will not come true.

A spell of mild, dry and sunny weather is forecast across all three days of the grand prix weekend, with only a low chance of a light shower on Friday.

And according to the forecast early on Thursday, the chance of rain for Saturday and Sunday diminishes to less than 5 per cent on both decisive days.

Luca di Montezemolo could be set to leave Ferrari.

It is reported that French broadcaster TF1 is predicting a change at the top of the Maranello based team.

Italian Montezemolo, 62, joined Fiat in the 70s and worked as Enzo Ferrari’s assistant before running the famous team.

He became Ferrari president in 1991, but for several recent years has been linked with a move into politics.

Tipped to be Montezemolo’s successor is 34-year-old Andrea Agnelli, part of the famous Agnelli family and currently president of the Juventus football club.

However, earlier in July, Fiat denied similar rumours that appeared in the Milan newspaper Libero.

Pirelli will supply four different dry tyre compounds to formula one teams in 2011, the Italian company has announced.

It was confirmed by the FIA on Wednesday that Milan based Pirelli will succeed the departing Bridgestone as F1′s new supplier until 2013.

It had been expected that – unlike at present with Bridgestone offering super-soft, soft, medium and hard compounds – Pirelli’s compounds would number just three.

But Pirelli has confirmed that on offer in 2011 will be four dry weather tyres, plus a full wet tyre and an intermediate.

“Following current formula one regulations laid down by .. the FIA, the new contract ensures that Pirelli will provide teams with six different types of tyre for the season,” read a statement.

It is believed the reason the “current” rules are remaining unchanged is due to the long delay in the appointment of Bridgestone’s successor.

The F1 teams recently agreed to commence the designs of their 2011 cars on the basis of Bridgestone’s 2010-specification tyre.

Also postponed is the touted move from the current 13-inch wheels to a much lower profile.

But Pirelli said “research into innovative new tyre developments is a vital part of this exciting programme”.

The company will also supply GP2 and GP3.
(GMM)

Jun.18 (GMM)  If the F1 teams and Bernie Ecclestone want to do a deal with Pirelli, the FIA will have to go along with it.

That is the claim of an unnamed team boss, amid rumours the president of F1′s governing body Jean Todt is pushing for Michelin to re-enter the sport as the new tyre supplier.

It is believed commercial contracts with F1 chief executive Ecclestone have now been signed by Pirelli, while the teams group FOTA has signed a letter of intent to be supplied by the Milan based company from 2011.

The final hurdle is said to be the consent of the World Motor Sport Council next week.

But the unnamed boss told France’s Auto Hebdo magazine: “The FIA manages the regulations, but it is not possible to impose on teams something they don’t want.

“Certainly, (the FIA) can boycott a decision of FOTA, but I think Ecclestone has enough power.”

Jun.17 (GMM)  Gerhard Berger has dismissed claims that Pirelli is a questionable choice as formula one’s new tyre supplier.

Although the news is not yet official, it is now expected that the Italian company will succeed the departing Bridgestone — with confirmation coming possibly at next week’s meeting of the World Motor Sport Council.

The other serious contender has been Michelin, Bridgestone’s most recent tyre competitor between 2001 and 2006 with 43 grand prix wins in this period, and utterly dominant in 2005.

The fact that Pirelli’s proposal is the one that has gained the majority of support has therefore been surprising to some; not only because it has absent from F1 since 1991, but also because the development time for 2011 is now so short.

Moreover, there has been some criticism in the past during Pirelli’s forays in world superbike racing as well as world rallying.  The Milan based brand is currently also the GP3 supplier and tipped for a deal with GP2 for 2011 and beyond.

“This (criticism) is absolute nonsense,” Berger, who won the 1986 Mexican grand prix with Pirelli tyres and Benetton in 1986, told Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport.

“Pirelli equips the fastest sports cars in the world.  There are also people in formula one who have been successful with Pirelli,” added the Austrian.

Pirelli’s last grand prix win was with Nelson Piquet and Benetton in Montreal in 1991.

On his visit to last weekend’s Canadian grand prix, director of motor sport Paul Hembery declined to comment.

Jun.17 (GMM) Pirelli may be looking to acquire a Toyota formula one car with which to do some specific tyre testing later this year.

With the Italian brand likely to succeed Bridgestone as F1′s official supplier in 2011-2013, it emerged recently that some development track testing is probable in the coming months.

Mercedes reserve driver Nick Heidfeld has already volunteered to participate.

“This is what we have to discuss with the tyre manufacturer as soon as we know who it will be,” confirmed Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali.

Milan based Pirelli has not yet received the official green light, but it is believed that contracts with F1′s commercial rights holder have been signed.

And Italy’s Autosprint claims that the 12 current teams signed a letter of intent in Montreal last weekend about being shod with Pirelli rubber in 2011.

The next step is the agreement of the FIA, with the World Motor Sport Council set to meet next Wednesday.

The magazine said talks between Pirelli and Toyota could result in a formula one car belonging to the Cologne based former competitor being used for tyre testing late this summer.

The solution would ensure that tyre data can be produced by Pirelli without any single team obtaining an advantage.

Jun.14 (GMM)  Pirelli has edged yet closer to becoming F1′s new official tyre supplier. The Milan based company’s only competition for the deal, Michelin, is close to falling out of the running.

“The development time for 2011 seems very compromised now,” managing partner Didier Miraton said at Le Mans, according to L’Equipe.

Spotted in Montreal on Sunday was Paul Hembery, Pirelli’s competition director, for talks with the teams association FOTA.

It is believed that, some days ago, contracts were drawn up and signed with the representative of F1′s commercial rights holder, Bernie Ecclestone.

The final hurdle is the signing off by the FIA’s legal department.

Michelin’s Miraton indicated that the French company is essentially now out of the running.

“It is probably too late for the deadlines of next year,” he continued.  “We have intervened to help, modestly, but at the rate things are going, I’m pessimistic.”

Another stumbling block for Michelin has been the lack of widespread desire for a change of rules allowing more than one tyre supplier at a time.

“When there is only one manufacturer, there is no competition, no progress, no pleasure and the interest in the manufacturer is low,” said Miraton.

Jun.10 (GMM)  Yet another grand prix weekend will pass without an announcement about F1′s new tyre supplier for 2011.

But the Italian website 422race.com reports that Milan-based Pirelli has definitely secured the deal, with confirmation due between the Montreal and Valencia races.

A source at the company said the delay is taking place within the FIA’s legal department.

FIA president Jean Todt said in an interview this week that although FOTA may have made a decision, the governing body and commercial rights holder must first “launch a tender”.

un.8 (GMM)  It may be “weeks” before F1′s new tyre supplier for 2011 and beyond is confirmed, Pirelli president Marco Tronchetti Provera said on Tuesday.

Despite a final recent push from Michelin, it is now expected that the Milan based company will succeed the departing Bridgestone as formula one’s sole supplier.

F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone left Turkey frustrated that a decision is being delayed, but the teams said they expected a solution within days.

“We need to sort this out this week because it is already very, very late for us,” said Ferrari’s Stefano Domenicali before departing Istanbul.

On Tuesday, the bulk of the F1 world is busily travelling to Canada, making it clear that yet another race weekend will be dominated by the discussions about tyres.

But in Milan, Pirelli’s Provera indicated that he is not expecting an imminent conclusion.

“The decision will be taken soon.  It’s a question of weeks, not months,” he said.

In an interview with French newspaper Le Parisien published on Tuesday, FIA president Jean Todt also indicated that the process about selecting Bridgestone’s successor still has some road to run.

“It (the FIA) will soon launch a tender, with the commercial promoter of the championship, Bernie Ecclestone,” he said.

“FOTA may suggest that it decides, but the strong man is not he who speaks the loudest,” added Todt.

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.

Italian media sources are reporting that Pirelli will be F1′s sole tyre supplier in 2011 and beyond.

Autosprint and Italiaracing say the Milan-based marque has been selected by the teams and F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone to replace the departing control supplier Bridgestone.

Reportedly also in the running had been Michelin as well as minor contenders Avon, Kumho and Hankook.

When asked to nominate his preference, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said this week: “As an Italian I prefer Pirelli, but experience tells me Michelin.

“In the end it will be the same for everyone,” he said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Autosprint said Pirelli will be paid 1 million euros per team per season in 2011, 2012 and 2013, 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.

The decision is set to be confirmed shortly by the World Motor Sport Council.

Spain’s El Mundo Deportivo reports that Pirelli, already the supplier of the new GP3 series as well as world rally, is also likely to supply GP2 next year.

Pirelli was last in F1 in 1991.
(GMM)

Apr.22 (GMM)  A third name has emerged as a potential supplier of formula one tyres in 2011.

It has been confirmed that Michelin, favoured by the FOTA group, as well as Avon-Cooper – believed to be favoured by Bernie Ecclestone and small F1 teams due to its lower-cost proposal – are in the running to replace the departing official supplier Bridgestone.

Milan-based Pirelli said late last year that it did not want to enter F1 because it “prefers to develop tyres for racing that will also be used on the road”.

But after a shareholder’s meeting in Milan on Wednesday, chairman Marco Tronchetti Provera said Pirelli might rethink its attitude if certain conditions are met.

Like Michelin, he said Pirelli wants the diameter of F1′s tyres to be increased from 13 to 18 inches, and would also need to supply its product with an economic benefit to the company.

According to Italian reports including ANSA and the Milan daily Il Giornale, Tronchetti Provera added that if those conditions can be met, Pirelli would “look into this (F1) world with greater attention”.

He insisted however that at the moment “there is nothing” more to the rumours.