May 26 (GMM) Pirelli is “open” to going to war with a rival tyre manufacturer like Michelin.
That is the claim of the Italian company’s chief Marco Tronchetti Provera.
On a rare paddock visit in Monaco, he confirmed that Pirelli is applying to keep its role beyond 2016 as the sport’s sole tyre supplier.
It is expected former F1 supplier Michelin will also lodge an application, despite normally pushing for the return of a competitive ‘tyre war’ in F1.
Actually, Tronchetti Provera said Pirelli is not opposed to that.
He said on Italian radio Rai that Pirelli is “indifferent” to the idea.
“It is the teams that do not want a competition that is overly conditioned by the tyres,” Tronchetti Provera insisted. But “We are open to any solution.”
However, he said Pirelli does have some conditions regarding its continued involvement beyond 2016.
“The basic condition is that we retain the selection of the compounds, to prevent incorrect usage by the teams, and then (other conditions are) safety and economic issues,” he said.
“I’ve already spoken with (Bernie) Ecclestone and (Jean) Todt and there is an alignment about the technical and safety standards. After that, we will see.
“I am confident, but if someone has the will to out-bid us, we will focus on something else. We remain interested, but not at any cost,” Tronchetti Provera insisted.