Pirelli Extends Formula 1 Tyre Supply Deal Until 2028
Pirelli will remain the sole tyre supplier for Formula 1 until 2028, according to BBC Sport. The Italian company’s contract was extended by one year, ensuring the supplier remains in place through the early stages of the sport’s major 2026 technical regulation changes.
The extension secures Pirelli’s role as the exclusive provider of racing tyres for all teams on the grid. As reported by BBC Sport on June 11, 2026, the agreement pushes the partnership’s end date to 2028.
This decision aligns the supply contract with the introduction of new power units and chassis specifications. Formula 1 is implementing a significant regulatory overhaul for the 2026 season, which includes changes to engine architecture and aerodynamic requirements.
Why was the Pirelli F1 contract extended?
The extension provides technical stability during a period of transition. According to BBC Sport, the one-year extension keeps the tyre partnership intact through 2028, preventing a supplier change from coinciding with the 2026 car redesign.
Formula 1 cars debuting in 2026 will feature different weight distributions and power delivery characteristics. These changes require the tyre manufacturer to develop new compounds and constructions to meet the specific loads of the new chassis.
Maintaining a single supplier during this shift reduces the risk of technical failures or performance imbalances that could occur if a new manufacturer attempted to calibrate tyres for an unproven car design.
How does the single-supplier model impact the sport?
Pirelli has served as the exclusive tyre supplier since 2011. This model was adopted to replace the previous era of competition between multiple manufacturers, such as Bridgestone and Michelin.
The single-supplier system focuses on three primary goals:
This approach contrasts with the early 2000s, where differing tyre performance between brands often created wide gaps in competitiveness between teams regardless of their chassis quality.
What happens next for tyre development?
Pirelli must now finalize the development of tyres compatible with the 2026 regulations. These tyres will need to handle the increased electrical power output of the new hybrid engines and the modified aerodynamic loads.
The extended contract through 2028 gives Pirelli a three-year window to refine these products after the initial 2026 launch. This timeline allows the manufacturer to gather real-world data from the first two seasons of the new regulations before the contract reaches its current expiration.
Formula 1 and Pirelli will continue to coordinate on the specific compound ranges available for each Grand Prix to maintain the sport’s strategic requirements.