Pirelli Finishes WRC 2006 with Good Results, May be Back in 2008

Comments by Pirelli Competizioni Director Paul Hembery have led to speculation that the tyre company may return to the World Rally Championship in 2008.

Pirelli finished the final WRC for 2006 with a third place result and strong representation in the Group N category. Petter Solberg’s Subaru Imprezza, shod with Pirelli’s P Zero tyres, finished the Wales Rally GB in just over three hours twenty-two minutes after coming first in four of the rally’s seventeen stages.

The tyremaker is not directly competing in WRC racing during the 2007 season but are pleased with the performance of the P Zero this year. Pirelli Competizioni rally manager Mario isola stated that “Petter exploited well the Pirelli P Zero tyres we offered him”.

Pirelli have yet to confirm their future commitment to WRC racing, however it is believed that some negotiations for the 2007 season are in progress. And director Hembrey added that “we are analysing the details provided by FIA on the tender competition to supply tyres for the WRC during the years 2008-2010”, fuelling rumours about a Pirelli comeback in the not too distant future.