Pirelli plays down Bridgestone challenge for 2029 F1 tyre deal

Pirelli has declined to discuss the prospect of a renewed contest with Bridgestone for Formula 1’s next tyre-supply contract, saying the selection process remains a matter for the FIA and is too far away to address in detail.

Pirelli’s current agreement runs through 2028, after the FIA activated a one-year extension option in June 2026. The next tender, covering the seasons from 2029, is expected to begin around early 2027.

Bridgestone is reportedly preparing for another bid

Bridgestone is understood to be working on technical and commercial preparations for a possible bid, according to RacingNews365. The Japanese manufacturer previously supplied F1 from 1997 to 2010, including as the sole tyre supplier from 2007.

It also competed for the 2025–27 contract in the 2023 tender. Its proposal reportedly received technical approval from the FIA, but Pirelli won after the commercial terms were settled.

Asked about the possibility of rival manufacturers attending grands prix and challenging for the next contract, Dario Marrafuschi, Pirelli’s head of motorsport business, offered no assessment of the future contest. He said the company was concentrating on its responsibilities for the coming season and the one after it, while the FIA would oversee the supplier selection.

The rivalry has a long history in the championship, and Bridgestone’s current motorsport activity is also covered in our report on its Formula E return and wider ambitions.

Pirelli leaves any extension decision open

Marrafuschi was similarly non-committal when asked whether Pirelli would seek another extension beyond 2028. He said it was premature to discuss the question, adding that the company would follow the process and consider developments as they arise. The final decision, he stressed, rests with the FIA.

Any future tender is expected to assess more than outright performance. Safety, logistics and sustainability credentials are also likely to be considered, alongside commercial terms negotiated with Formula One Management.

For now, Pirelli’s attention remains on its existing programme. Its work on race-by-race selections is outlined in our preview of the Mexico City Grand Prix tyre choice.