Formula One and FIA confirm Pirelli tyre partnership extension through 2028

Written by Kavi Khandelwal

Formula One and the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile have confirmed an extension of Pirelli's role as the sole Global Tyre Partner of the FIA F1 World Championship through the end of the 2028 season, with the FIA exercising the option included in the original contract by mutual agreement with F1 and Pirelli.

Credit: Formula One

The Italian manufacturer will continue as the exclusive tyre supplier not only to the F1 World Championship but also to the FIA Formula 2 Championship, the FIA Formula 3 Championship and F1 Academy — ensuring full continuity across the sport's entire single-seater ladder for at least two more seasons.

The extension cements one of the most enduring technical partnerships in motorsport history. Pirelli was present at the very first F1 World Championship round in 1950, and has served as the exclusive tyre supplier to the sport since 2011. By the time the 2028 season concludes, the Italian brand will have held that exclusive role for 18 consecutive years.

The announcement arrives as F1 enters a new technical era, with sweeping regulatory changes having come into force at the start of the 2026 season. The partnership extension signals confidence from all parties that Pirelli's expertise is well-suited to the demands of the new generation of machinery, and underlines the importance of stability in an already transformative period for the sport.

Beyond performance, the partnership is positioned as one of the most significant innovation pipelines in global motorsport. Development work conducted across a season — spanning extreme conditions, multiple tyre compounds and a diverse range of driver demands — feeds directly into Pirelli's research and production processes, with advances in design, sustainability and materials technology carrying implications far beyond the pit lane.

Credit: Formula One

F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali paid tribute to the longevity of the relationship: "We've enjoyed an incredible history and partnership with Pirelli, relying on their technical brilliance and focus on performance, innovation, and sustainability for many years, so I'm delighted that the FIA and we will continue that relationship for another year. Pirelli's commitment to quality gives all the teams and series it supplies peace of mind as they know they are working with some of the most advanced tyres in the world."

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem echoed the sentiment, pointing to the wider benefits of the agreement: "This extension through to the end of 2028 provides stability for the championship and reflects the strong collaboration between the FIA, Formula One Group and Pirelli. Together, we continue to drive innovation and support the delivery of exciting racing for competitors, teams and fans around the world."

For Pirelli Executive Vice Chairman Marco Tronchetti Provera, the milestone of 500 Grands Prix — passed last season — stood as a marker of just how deeply embedded the Italian firm has become in the fabric of the sport: "Pirelli is not just a supplier but instead a strategic partner that has been able to support the constant growth of the championship, driven by the joint work of the Federation and the promoter. Formula 1 represents the best laboratory for us to innovate, test cutting-edge technical solutions, and continually improve research and development processes, for the benefit of tomorrow's road tyres."

With the 2026 season well underway and the regulatory landscape continuing to evolve, Pirelli's confirmed presence through 2028 offers a degree of certainty that will be welcomed across the paddock — from the front runners to the feeder series drivers taking their first steps towards F1.