Pirelli ready to confirm ongoing F1 supply

The 2012 Formula One season has just ended, but Pirelli is eager to know sooner rather than later whether its services will be needed after next year. Autosport writes that Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery would be happy for the question of Pirelli’s F1 involvement beyond the current three-year contract to be settled quickly.

“The deadline is June next year, but we would be keen to have a decision earlier than that,” Hembery told Autosport. “If we need to find 300 to 400 people a different job, then we need to know earlier.” The motorsport director indicated that significant changes in F1 car design slated for 2014 are an important motivation for confirming Pirelli’s ongoing relationship as tyre supplier; he added that the Italian manufacturer will not spend too much time developing its 2014 tyres until a contract is signed.

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