F1 Extends Exclusive Tire Partnership with Pirelli Through 2028

Formula 1 has confirmed that the championship will continue to race exclusively on Pirelli tires for the next two seasons. While the existing agreement was set to expire at the end of 2027, the FIA has now exercised the option to extend the partnership through 2028, following a mutual agreement between all governing bodies and the supplier.

Why it matters:

Stability is the primary driver behind this extension. As we are now deep into the 2026 technical regulations—marked by entirely new power unit architectures and chassis designs—introducing a new tire supplier would create unnecessary volatility. By locking in Pirelli through 2028, the FIA ensures that teams can focus on optimizing their new platforms without the disruption of a fundamental change in rubber compounds and performance characteristics.

The Details:

• Extended Timeline: The deal officially pushes the exclusivity period to the end of the 2028 season, providing a clear long-term roadmap for the sport's technical development.
• Ecosystem Integration: The partnership is not limited to the pinnacle; Pirelli will continue its critical role as the sole supplier for Formula 2, Formula 3, and the F1 Academy, ensuring a seamless transition for drivers moving up the ladder.
• Technical Legacy: This move honors a deep-rooted history, as Pirelli has been present since F1's inaugural season in 1950 and has served as the sole supplier since 2011.
• Strategic Goals: The extension emphasizes a shared commitment to sustainability and innovation, focusing on developing high-performance tires that align with F1's net-zero carbon goals.

What's next:

With the supplier uncertainty removed, the focus now shifts to the continued refinement of the 2026-spec tires. The paddock will be watching closely to see how Pirelli adapts the compounds to handle the unique torque and weight demands of the current generation of cars, ensuring the "spectacle on track" remains consistent as the championship evolves toward the end of the decade.