The WRC is set to change its control rubber from 2025 after Italian tyre manufacturer Pirelli announced last Friday that it had chosen not to submit a bid in response to the FIA’s 2025-2027 tyre tender.
Pirelli won the previous tender supplying tyres to all WRC categories from 2021-2024, returning to rallying’s top level for the first time since 2010.
Autosport understands Michelin, MRF and Hankook are in the running to secure the WRC tyre contract, beginning from 2025.
Alongside its WRC commitments, Pirelli has supplied tyres to Formula 1 since 2011 and is expected to retain that contract after the FIA announced an F1 tyre tender in April.
When asked by Autosport to elaborate on its call not to continue in WRC, Pirelli boss Mario Isola revealed that cost saving was not part of the decision. He also reiterated that the company will continue to develop products for rallying.
“No, [cost saving was] not really [part of the decision] because we have a team dedicated to WRC and we believe in this period we got what we wanted in terms of being a part of the sport in the top class,” said Isola.
“We will continue to put our resources in ERC and national championships and the team that is looking after WRC and rally in general is not the same team we have for Formula 1.
Source: Autosport