We’re proud of everything that has been achieved over the years. Pirelli has played a starring role in that era, just as it has done since the inaugural championship back in 1950.
“This weekend will mark a pivotal moment in Formula 1 history with the definitive farewell to the 13-inch tyres that have been part of the pinnacle of the sport for decades. Mario Isola – Pirelli Head of F1 and Car Racing Since Pirelli returned to the world championship as sole supplier, more than 400,000 13-inch tyres have been produced from the factories at Izmit in Turkey and Slatina in Romania. Pirelli was then back with a new generation of 13-inch tyres from 1989 (two years after the P Zero name was born) until 1991, before the current return from 2011 as Global Tyre Partner: when Sebastian Vettel claimed the first championship for a Pirelli 13-inch tyre with Red Bull. The first win for Pirelli’s 13-inch tyres came at the 1985 French Grand Prix courtesy of Nelson Piquet with Brabham-BMW. Then, in the same season and subsequent ones, other teams adopted the Italian rubber for their cars. Pirelli first ran a 13-inch tyre in Formula 1 at the 1981 San Marino Grand Prix with the Toleman team consisting of Brian Henton and Derek Warwick. In the 1980s, 13 inches finally became the definitive size. Nonetheless, at the time – and into the subsequent decade – there was still a lot of regulatory freedom around wheel size. Tyres in 13-inch size have raced for nearly the entire history of the championship to date, from the 1960s. In the meantime, Pirelli successfully ran 18-inch tyres in Formula 2 since the 2020 season and completed 36 days of 18-inch testing with Formula 1 cars that were modified to accommodate the new size. Initially, Formula 1 planned to adopt 18-inch tyres from 2021 as part of a package of new technical regulations but this was pushed back to 2022 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pirelli first ran an 18-inch tyre on a Formula 1 car back in 2014, at a test at Silverstone with Lotus reserve driver Charles Pic. To celebrate the changing of the guard, all the 13-inch slick tyres used in Abu Dhabi will carry a special logo on the sidewall: “Next year I turn 18” – underlining the switch to 18 inches by bidding farewell to the current tyres before welcoming the new size next year. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina this weekend will be the last race in Formula 1 history run on 13-inch tyres with a technological revolution coming from next year after more than half a century, in which Pirelli will play a key role with its new 18-inch tyres.
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