MILAN, Italy — Pirelli & C. S.p.A. recently kicked up its motorsports tire development a considerable notch with the addition of a tire-testing wheel capable of speeds up to 310 mph under controlled conditions.
Word of the upgrade at the Milan research and development center facility coincided with Pirelli's recent disclosure that it is interested in extending its designated Formula 1 tire supply contract with the Federation International de l'Automobile (FIA). The contract has been in place since 2011.
The new high-speed testing machine complements two similar machines, capable of reaching 229 mph and 279 mph, already installed in the indoor testing facility at Pirelli's Milan Bicocca headquarters.
Pirelli did not disclose the machine's supplier or the cost of acquiring and installing it.
The existing machines are used for road car tire tests, while the new machine is intended mainly for competition use, Pirelli said.
"Pirelli's presence as a supplier of more than 350 motorsport events required the introduction of machinery capable of reaching even more extreme limits for products that are used in truly challenging contexts such as racing, or record attempts with road cars."
The new machine will allow Pirelli to evaluate the behavior of tires at high speed and to guarantee reliability when it comes to the next stage of outdoor testing, the company said. It also can manage high torque and acceleration inputs, such as those seen with a hypercar driving on a circuit.
While Pirelli is involved in supplying 350-plus racing series around the globe, its contract with the FIA for Formula 1 is considered the most highly sought after. The FIA recently posted its tender offer for the 2025-27 seasons. The offer includes the supply of tires for the Formula 2 and 3 series, as well.
Pirelli also noted that the emergence of road-going "hypercars" — including some of the more sophisticated electric-powered ones — is pushing tire makers to consider higher speeds as as key factor in the development of tires destined for road use.
