-The End-

Pagani Zonda R set a new record on the Nordschleife circuit in Nürburgring covering the  20.83km in 6’47″, with Pirelli P Zero Slick tyres (measuring 265/645-19TL, 325/705-20TL).

The Zonda R beat a record set a few months ago by another extreme supercar with a competitor’s tyres.

The record was made possible by the Pirelli P Zero Slick tyres made from the solutions, profiles and materials typical of Pirelli’s Motorsport Racing production, ensuring excellent grip on the asphalt and ability to transfer all the power of the car onto the ground. Designed exclusively by Pirelli for the Modena-built supercar, the P Zero Slick tyres were manufactured in Milan on the new generation line of Mirs, the innovative robotized production process patented by Pirelli, covering the entire manufacturing cycle from compounds to the finished product, without interruptions or energy wasted. The Mirs process is representative of Pirelli’s excellence in technology, and focuses on production of  Ultra High Performance and Motorsport tyres.

Other factors that contributed to the high-performance grip can be linked to a 200 kg weight reduction of the Zonda R compared with the road version, with its carbon-titanium chassis, lighter suspensions, low centre of gravity, polar inertia reduction and excellent aerodynamic load.

Pirelli – which has supplied tyres exclusively for the GP3 championship this year – will also supply the GP2 championship from 2011, becoming the sole provider of tyres for the most prestigious single-seater championships in global motorsport.

The Milan-based firm is already present in the World Rally Championship, the World Superbike Championship, the Rolex Sports Car Series in North America, the Motocross World Championship and several other national championships for both cars and bikes.

This new Formula One agreement crowns Pirelli’s historic involvement in world motorsport, which dates back to 1907 when the Italian fim won the epic Paris-Peking road race. Pirelli currently exclusively supplies some of the most important World Championships for both cars and bikes, such as the GP3 series, the World Rally Championship, the Rolex Sports Car Series in North America, the World Superbike Championship, and the Motocross World Championship. On top of this, Pirelli also supplies more than 70 other national and international championships. The last Grand Prix victory claimed by Pirelli was the 1991 Canadian Grand Prix, with Nelson Piquet driving for Benetton.

Pirelli will begin its association with the all-new GP3 Series when it gets underway in Barcelona this weekend (7-9 May).

The Italian company has been appointed as the official tyre supplier to the one-make single-seater series, which has been pitched as a stepping-stone to GP2, a direct feeder category to Formula One.

Designed as a training formula for young and aspiring drivers, the series is made up of nine race weekends, each consisting of a practice and a qualifying session and two races in an effort to maximise track time for the drivers and accelerate their learning.

Pirelli was chosen by the FIA to supply the control tyre for this crucial new series because of the company’s proven ability to contain costs while maintaining a high level of technology to further the best interests of competition.

Eight of the nine rounds support Formula One Grands Prix, starting with the Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya this weekend and ending with the Italian Grand Prix at the legendary Monza circuit near Milan, where Pirelli houses its global headquarters. The calendar will give the drivers a chance to compete in a high-profile environment and demonstrate their skills to watching team managers from GP2 and Formula One.

Pirelli has designed and developed a racing tyre specifically for the Dallara-built GP3 Series car. With a two-litre, turbocharged engine developed by Renault’s F1 arm putting out 280bhp, the tyre will be subjected to extreme stresses and strains throughout a race weekend. Pirelli has an established tradition of breaking new technological ground in the development and design of its Ultra High Performance road car products, so the lessons learned from this have been incorporated into the new GP3 series tyre.

Drivers are allocated three sets of dry weather tyres and two sets of wet weather tyres per event. Championship regulations prevent any modifications from being made to the tyres and their use is strictly policed by series officials to ensure a level playing field.

Although Pirelli prides itself in designing and manufacturing durable tyres, the brief from GP3 Series bosses specified that each tyre should experience a degree of degradation to help the drivers’ education process but also to spice up the on-track action.

A full grid of 30 drivers is set to contest the inaugural GP3 Series season-opener in Spain, while the teams that have registered for the championship include the MW Arden outfit, which is partly owned by Red Bull F1 driver Mark Webber.

“We are delighted to be the official tyre supplier to the inaugural GP3 Series,” said Pirelli’s Motorsport Director Paul Hembery. “Pirelli has a long and proud association with single-seater racing at a variety of levels all the way up to Formula One and we very excited to be helping young drivers develop their skills at a crucial stage in their careers.”

Hembery added: “As the official tyre supplier to the World Rally Championship, Pirelli is well versed in meeting the demands required by high-profile motorsport disciplines and providing an exceptional product and level of service. Our approach to the GP3 Series will be no different and this forms vital experience for us as we submit our tender for tyre supply to Formula One from next season onwards. Competition is in our company DNA, so we believe that a control tyre supply is by no means incompatible with an exciting sporting spectacle. But it’s also worth pointing out that our first sporting engagement this year with open tyre competition, the Monte Carlo Rally in January, resulted in a great victory for us. Pirelli is capable of rising to every challenge.”

Pirelli recently announced its intention to tender for the Formula One tyre supply contract from 2011 onwards. The Italian firm’s last involvement in Formula One ended at the end of the 1991 season, following a victory for Nelson Piquet’s Benetton-Ford at the Canadian Grand Prix.

Italian tyres for the most exciting concept cars of the Show:  iChange Rinspeed, the first supercar in the world with zero emissions and the Mito GTA Alfa Romeo

Innovations in all product fields, materials and systems for the automotive industry

Pirelli recognised by the Hamburg Tyre Technology Expo, as the 2008 best tyre producer for “innovation and excellence”

Geneva, 3rd March 2009, Pirelli means increasingly “greener” performance, or avant-garde technology directed not only towards performance but also towards sustainable mobility and safety: reduced consumption and reduced emissions of noxious substances, more kilometres per litre, eco-friendly materials, improved grip on curves and shorter braking distances.

This is the direction which makes Pirelli an increasingly “green” performer, followed by all the innovations that the research laboratories of the Italian Group, recently recognised as the best tyre manufacturer for “innovation and excellence” at the Tyre Technology Expo in Hamburg, are introducing and will introduce in the upcoming months. Pirelli’s eco-friendly menu is full of innovations: from tyres that are increasingly ecological, even for the more powerful cars, to the winter tyre segment with new materials not derived from petroleum; from integrated solutions for the automobile industry to production processes with increasingly reduced environmental impact. 
 
A preview of all this will be given at the 79th Geneva Motor Show where Pirelli is a confirmed participant in this, the most prestigious exhibition of the sector, and a reference point for the world automobile industry not only for the high range with the P Zero family, fitted on the new models and the exciting prototypes, but for all product ranges, with the Belted Radials in the front line. A double soul, ecology and safety on one side, performance on the other, which will also be on show at the Pirelli stand, where ample space will be given to racing, where the Italian Group is engaged at the highest levels, particularly in the World Rally Championships and in the Grand Am as the sole supplier.  Pirelli’s commitment to racing, which started more than a century ago, will be represented by the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X with tyres from the Milan company; this is the car which will be driven by the young drivers, selected last year from the Star Driver Programme, sponsored in collaboration with the IAF. The cars driven by the future champions will be fitted with the tyres developed by Pirelli for the WRC for the three-year period 2008-2010. P Zero, Scorpion, Sottozero, which not by chance belong to the same product lines developed for road use, underline the constant relationship and reciprocal exchange between racing experience, research and industry which characterise the Italian Group’s products.

Belted tyres, increasingly more ecological. The family of eco-compatible tyres launched last year, with the P4 and P6 versions and adopted as original equipment by all the most prestigious car makers, will be the “green” reference point of the Swiss motor show.  And not only at the Pirelli stand, mostly inspired by ecology and Green Performance, but also on the various models which will be on show. This year the Belted line will include a new tyre, even more eco-friendly and innovative, developed for the high bracket cars and destined to win the challenge that has never before been faced in the automobile world: high performance and at the same time eco-compatibility, without sacrificing anything, from driving pleasure to safety, and including reduced consumption and lower noxious emissions. The new product, which will be launched in the whole of Europe this spring, takes the features of the P4 and P6 belted tyres to new extremes of  eco-compatibility, fuel and energy saving, and safety.

The P Zero family for the most beautiful at Geneva. With its most performing line of tyres, the P Zero, Pirelli, according to tradition, will be a present at all the stands and on all the most innovative models and the most exciting concept cars. These include the Mito GTA Concept Alfa Romeo and the iChange Rinspeed, the first completely eco-compatible supercar, for which Pirelli is a partner. And, according to tradition, the P Zero family will be on the Ferraris, the Maseratis, the Lamborghinis, the Bentleys, the Aston Martins, the Mercedes, the BMWs, the Volvos and the Saabs.

The Cyber Tyre and innovative materials. Pirelli research looks to the future, creating innovative solutions for the automobile industry and developing increasingly more eco-friendly materials, with positive effects both in the production process and during use. Not by chance, the Italian Group has recently been recognised by the Hamburg Tyre Technology Expo as the best tyre manufacturer of 2008 for “innovation and excellence”. The reason for the award depends on the commitment in the field of innovative materials and in care given to environmental impact, relative to which Pirelli has signed a cooperation agreement with Shandong University, which places the Italian Group “in an avant-garde position in the research of ecological solutions in the tyre sector”.

The Cyber Tyre belongs to the first category; it  is an intelligent tyre that the Pirelli research centres are developing and which can “read” all road surface conditions. Thanks to an inbuilt processor, the Cyber Tyre transmits information in real time to the car, and to the driver via the dashboard display.  The information will allow for better driving in general, and will also warn of situations that are critical for safety, such as a slippery road surface or a puncture, as well as ensuring better grip on dangerous curves. The Cyber Tyre is an eco-friendly system which is not only safe but also allows for what has never been obtained before: combining fast driving of a powerful car with limited consumption.
 
The Cyber Tyre is the starting point of a revolution not only as regards tyres as they have always been understood until today, but it is a real turning point for the automobile industry as a whole. The system created by Pirelli is the starting point of a series of future developments, for which the Italian Group is collaborating technologically with other important leaders of the auto sector.

Pirelli research is also engaged in the development and use of a series of new materials which will reduce to a minimum the use of oil-derived substances. The use of these materials has no secondary effects on the environment, as with other products of agricultural derivation used in the industry, and will ensure optimal performance in terms of safety and ecology.

Mikko Hirvonen underlined his comments, saying: “Although this morning’s stages were really tough, with sharp rocks, deep holes and even some patches of water to make things even more more tricky, the Pirelli Scorpion tyres went really well, facing up to the punishment without suffering excessive wear. Furthermore – contrary to what myself first thought – there is no need to change your driving style on these tyres: with the Scorpions you can attack just as much as you used to when we had anti-deflation mousse. That’s something that really makes you think, emphasising the quality of the tyres we have now.”
 
Mario Isola, Pirelli’s Rally Manager, pointed out: “In a rally that is notoriously tough on tyres, the Scorpion rubber had no particular problems, and nearly all of the punctures we encountered were down to driver error or accidents. We’re particularly pleased by the comparatively modest amount of wear and excellent traction demonstrated by all the leading cars, on a surface that is as demanding and rough as that of Sardinia. This performance makes us optimistic about the next two rallies of the World Championship in Greece and Turkey, which will be just as challenging for our products.”

Monte Carlo, 27 January 2008 – The 76th Monte Carlo Rally, the opening round of the first World Rally Championship contested exclusively on Pirelli rubber under the single tyre rules, saw the Pirelli PZero-equipped Citroen C4 WRC crew of Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena triumph. The reigning World Champions dominated the rally, ending up with a comfortable advantage over their closest rivals. Pirelli also won the two-wheel drive classification (open to all tyre manufacturers) setting the fastest time in 17 out of 19 special stages.

Loeb, who claimed his fifth Monte Carlo win in the last six years, praised: “The speed and consistency of the PZero tyres, which did their job perfectly on both the snowy asphalt of the Col du Turini and the smooth roads of the superspecial in the centre of Monaco – although with the advantage we had at that point, we were obviously not pushing too hard there. As far as I’m concerned, Pirelli has had a very positive debut.“

Behind Loeb the factory Ford Focus WRC of Hirvonen and Lehtinen was second, after a solid drive that gained them eight precious championship points. There was a thrilling fight for third place between the Subaru Impreza WRC of Atkinson-Prevot and the Ford Focus WRC of Duval-Chevailler. In the end, it was won by the Australian Subaru driver thanks to a 1.1 second margin after nearly 400 kilometres of special stages.

Gigi Galli, co-driven by Giovanni Bernacchini, had a positive return to the World Rally Championship by taking his Ford Focus WRC to sixth place. He concentrated on learning his car and the new Pirelli PZero tyres, whilst accumulating more valuable kilometres and avoiding the mistakes that have forced his retirement on this challenging event in the past.

According to Paul Hembery, Pirelli’s motorsport director: “Pirelli’s debut as exclusive tyre supplier to the FIA WRC went even better than we expected. We didn’t have any of the punctures that some people expected following the abolition of tyre mousse and the drivers were pleased with our tyres. It did not take long for them to get used to our products, as Loeb – who had never driven on Pirelli rubber before – amply demonstrated. It’s also worth pointing out that Pirelli virtually monopolised the action when the competition between tyre manufacturers was open, as proved by Renault Clio driver Broccoli’s victory in the two-wheel drive category – where the PZeros won 17 out of 19 stages. This weekend’s success is not only down to some excellent work from the Pirelli technicians on-event in Monte Carlo, but also thanks to the solid preparation work at the Izmit factory in Turkey and Turin factory in Italy.“

Milan, 24 January 2008 – Pirelli will take the start of the 76th Monte Carlo Rally by opening an important new chapter in its sporting history. This event will be the first one in which all the teams will use Pirelli control tyres, as part of an exclusive tyre supply deal over three years (2008-2010).

The Italian firm has produced three different types of tyre for the world rally season, one of which is available in two different versions. As sole tyre supplier to the World Rally Championship, Pirelli has been guided by a strict specification brief from the FIA – the governing body of the sport.

As well as the Pirelli PZero – designed for asphalt rallies – and the Pirelli Scorpion for gravel events, the all-new Pirelli Sottozero will be used on winter events. This tyre is available in a narrow size with longer studs, for heavy snow and ice such as is found in Sweden, and also a wider version with the option of adding short studs – which has been specially designed for the unique conditions of Monte Carlo event.

Pirelli will also be the exclusive tyre supplier for the FIA Group N Championship (known as the P-WRC). As well as this major engagement, Pirelli is also proud to have secured another exclusive three-year contract, supplying the Grand Am series in America. This prestigious championship also gets going this weekend, with the famous Daytona 24 Hours.

Paul Hembery, Pirelli’s motorsport director, commented: “It’s a privilege and a huge satisfaction for us to become the exclusive tyre supplier to one of only three World Championships organized by the FIA. With Pirelli’s early roots in road racing, supplying tyres to the World Rally Championship – including the PWRC – fits in perfectly with our company’s DNA. I’m confident that the Monte Carlo Rally will be the start of a remarkable new era in Pirelli’s motorsport history.“

Milan, January 2008 – – Pirelli, the Italian tyre manufacturer designated by the FIA as the Official Tyre Supplier to the FIA World Rally Championship from 2008-2010, has revealed the second tyre that will be used on the series next year. Following on from the asphalt WRC tyre that was launched at the end of September, Pirelli’s new gravel tyre has now been revealed. This tyre has been developed during several test sessions carried out all over Europe, using a Peugeot 307 WRC prepared by Bozian Racing and piloted by Italian rally champion Paolo Andreucci.

Pirelli’s new gravel tyre is called Scorpion, underlining the link between rally tyres and the Pirelli Scorpion road tyres fitted to off-road vehicles and SUVs. Just as was the case for the asphalt WRC rubber, the new gravel tyre has been checked and approved by the FIA – world motor sport’s governing body. The green light has now been given for production of the all-new gravel rally covers to begin. Below are some technical details regarding the new Pirelli Scorpion gravel tyres for the FIA WRC:

Gravel tyre for FIA World Rally Championship – technical notes:

Design

The design has been born out of Pirelli’s many years of experience of designing gravel rally tyres. Particular attention has been paid to making the new tyres as adaptable as possible, as they need to perform strongly on hard and compact gravel as well as on mud and loose gravel.
Following several comparison tests an asymmetric and directional design has been chosen, in order to maximise grip under acceleration and braking – as well as providing good lateral grip. The 2008 regulations state that it will not be possible to introduce cuts or modifications to the Pirelli Scorpion World Rally Championship tyres. This means that the design has been planned from the very beginning to satisfy a very wide and extreme range of requirements.
The depth of the tread pattern has been increased in order to make the tyre last longer, and the diagonal tread blocks have been redesigned. The angle of them now varies from the external part of the tyre shoulder to the internal part, in order to provide a more progressive response through corners.

Construction

The construction of the tyre has been heavily reinforced in order to meet the demands of competition without anti-deflation mousse – which has been completely banned for 2008. Most of the new reinforcements are based around the sidewalls.
This is the most vulnerable part of the tyre, where it is easy to pick up a laceration or suffer a failure due to sharp rocks or other obstacles at the side of the road.
The new construction uses solutions derived from ‘run-flat’ technology, which has already been used to good effect by Pirelli on road car tyres. As well as reducing the risk of punctures to a minimum, these tyres allow the cars that do pick up a puncture to get to the end of the stage without losing too much time and without destroying the bodywork or any other components. The tyre can then simply be changed on the next road section. The materials used to construct the Pirelli Scorpion gravel tyre for the FIA World Rally Championship represent the latest cutting edge technology in terms of strength and lightness, formulated by Pirelli’s renowned research and development division.

Compounds

As is the case for the asphalt tyres, there will be just two compounds of the Pirelli Scorpion gravel tyres available, intended to cover all the possible conditions that could be found on the gravel rounds of the FIA WRC next year.
There will be a soft compound, for soft ground or mud – to be used on events such as Great Britain – and a hard compound tyre for rallies with a very abrasive surface, as is the case for a number of events currently on the FIA World Rally Championship. All these Pirelli tyre compounds also already meet environmental legislation due to come into force from 2010: the use of aromatic oils has been eliminated from the production process entirely.