Source: Pirelli Media

F1 News

Tyres in 2020: Mercedes defends Pirelli, Renault open for Hankook

Tyres in 2020: Mercedes defends Pirelli, Renault open for Hankook

16-10-2018 19:29
Author profile picture

Nicolás Quarles van Ufford

With Pirelli's deal with the Formula 1 expiring at the end of 2019, Hankook are looking to also become tyre suppliers in F1 from 2020 onwards, which is something that both Pirelli and Mercedes are not keen on, but Renault wouldn't mind.

F1 owners Liberty Media will have separate negotiations with both Hankook and Pirelli so each party can lay out their financial and sporting plan for the four years from 2020 to 2023.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff came out to defend Pirelli, making the case that the Italians are vital for the F1.

"I would like it if they stayed," the Austrian told FormulaPassion.

"Whatever we ask, even the impossible, they try to make it happen. 

"Mario Isola [the racing director at Pirelli] is always ready to listen to the complaints of the teams - for me, the Italian company is the cornerstone of F1."

Cyril Abiteboul, team principal at Renault, looks at things from a different angle, as he thinks having multiple tyre manufacturers would be beneficial to F1.

"We have to be very clear about what is good for our sport, for the fans and for the show. 

"Pirelli is doing its job, but apparently we are more dissatisfied than before. 

"It makes no sense to invest so much money in the power units if we are so limited on the tyre strategy," the Frenchman argues.

Who do you agree with? Should F1 remain with one tyre manufacturer, or should Hankook be added to the mix?