Mario Isola, the head of Pirelli's Formula 1 operations, has countered whispers in the racing community that the Italian tyre giant plans to withdraw from Formula 1 at the close of 2027.
During the course of 2023, Pirelli outmaneuvered Bridgestone to win another stint as the exclusive tyre provider for Formula 1, despite the powerful challenge.
Now, there's persistent talk that Bridgestone, the Japanese tyre manufacturer with a storied history in Formula 1, is set to replace Pirelli starting in 2028.
"I don't believe the rumours that there will be a change in tyre supplier from 2027," Isola was reported saying by the Japanese media outlet as-web.jp.
"We have had the tyre supply contract since 2011 so we've been in that role for a long time and I wonder who would have spread rumours like that."
Isola maintains that the advantages of participating in Formula 1 continue to surpass the expenses, and he views the speculated interest from competitors like Bridgestone as an indication of the sport's vitality.
"Each year we take on new challenges and we are not yet bored with them," he remarked. "Obviously, the length of our contracts has been very long and I understand why other manufacturers have entered the market and what they want.
"So this is positive in itself, but it does not mean that we will leave in 2027," the Italian added. "Pirelli will re-examine its position at a later date."
