Pirelli has announced it would be leaving the WRC after their contract expires at the end of the 2024 WRC season.
Leaving
In a statement released on Pirelli’s website, the Italian company stated, “Pirelli has not submitted its candidature to supply the FIA World Rally Championship from 2025-2027. 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 contract. 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.”
What Does This Mean for The WRC?
Pirelli has been the lone tire supplier for the WRC since 2021. With Perilli now leaving the championship it leaves a door open for other tire suppliers. Such as Michelin, MRF, or others. The WRC and FIA will have just over a year to get a new tire supplier. Although they will likely have the answer part way through the 2024 calendar. Whoever gets selected will be the supplier the WRC feels fits the series best. While also handling the many different conditions the WRC goes through.
Who Could Replace Pirelli?
I’m not going to get too deep into who could replace Pirelli in this article. However, there will be an article about this exact subject. Will be coming out in a couple of days right here on Speed Trap Magazine.