Pirelli holds advantage in upcoming Formula 1 tyre tender
Pirelli maintains a competitive edge for the next Formula 1 tyre contract due to technical experience. Bridgestone and Michelin are monitoring the situation as potential bidders, though they face significant design hurdles if they attempt to enter the market in 2029.
Pirelli holds the advantage
Pirelli holds the advantage in the upcoming competition. Because the current contract expires at the end of 2028, the manufacturer must compete for a new deal through an upcoming tender. Although it was previously thought that the Italian manufacturer would leave the sport after 2028, this is far from certain at present. Bridgestone and Michelin both monitor the situation as potential bidders for the exclusive supplier role. The sport mentions Bridgestone as a potential exclusive tyre supplier, while a senior delegation from the French manufacturer Michelin recently attended the Italian Grand Prix to explore the possibility of returning to the sport. The competition remains difficult because the FIA previously extended the agreement with Pirelli, as the governing body "knew Pirelli, and Pirelli knew F1." Bridgestone or Michelin may find their chances depend on whether Pirelli decides to enter the tender. F1’s growing popularity has helped convince brands like Bridgestone and Michelin to consider the move after a period when the sport struggled to find any tyre supplier at all. The interest from several brands in joining Formula 1 is a positive sign for the sport.
Technical barriers for new entrants
The timing of the next supplier cycle creates a disadvantage for new manufacturers. From 2029, any new or returning supplier will provide tyres for F1 cars that will change little in design until the end of 2030. Because Pirelli will have gained specific technical experience between 2026 and 2028, Bridgestone or Michelin would find it virtually impossible to produce a comparable product.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2026 – 2028 | Pirelli’s experience period |
| 2029 | New supplier cycle begins |
| 2030 | End of current car design cycle |
| 2031 | New generation of F1 cars arrives |
A new entrant could find it easier to join the sport once the 2031 generation of F1 cars arrives. The difficulty of matching Pirelli’s technical expertise remains a significant hurdle for any brand that hopes to win the 2029 contract. Even if Bridgestone or Michelin enters the bidding process, their success depends on overcoming the massive technical gap left by Pirelli’s long-term involvement in the sport. Manufacturers may find that entering the market when car designs are stagnant is a difficult undertaking.
