18
April
2014
|
16:46
Europe/Amsterdam

Pirelli to supply Italian Formula 4 Championship

Pirelli is the inaugural tyre supplier to Formula 4, with Italy leading the way by providing the first national championship for the new FIA-mandated series: designed as an introduction to professional motorsport for young drivers. The latest addition to Pirelli’s extensive motorsport portfolio, which takes in more than 250 championships worldwide, means that the Italian rubber is now seen at every level of motorsport from the grass roots to the very pinnacle: Formula One. The first official Formula 4 test will take place next week at Adria, following a shakedown earlier this week at Vairano. Pirelli will supply tyres to the new seven-round championship exclusively, with Tatuus building the chassis, Abarth providing the engine and Magneti Marelli in charge of electronics: an all-Italian effort forming a blueprint for entry-level motorsport. The new tyres for the championship will be available in just two types: dry (medium compound, DM) and wet. Consequently they have to be extremely adaptable to a very wide variety of conditions and circuits: from the tight hairpin bends of Adria to the flat-out straights at Monza. One of the FIA’s stated aims for the championship is to reduce costs. As a result the new Formula 4 tyre has to be affordable without compromising performance. With the drivers competing on the series all being relatively inexperienced, the tyre must also be easy to drive and provide confidence in marginal conditions. Pirelli has created a new 13-inch tyre specifically for Formula 4, which is of the same dimensions as this year’s Formula 3 tyres. Italian driver Raffaele Gianmaria, backed by the national motorsport federation, will be the test driver at Adria, having also conducted the initial shakedown. The front tyre size is 200-540-13, the rear is 250-575-13. Pirelli’s motorsport director Paul Hembery commented: “We’ve always made it a priority to support young drivers and help them progress their careers, which is why we also supply the GP3 and GP2 series. Now, we’re delighted to extend that ladder of opportunity to Formula 4, meaning that Pirelli can be a constant in every young driver’s career, from the very beginning all the way to Formula One. With drivers taking less and less time to reach the top of the sport, it’s important to provide them with a cost-effective yet competitive tyre product that showcases the very best of their abilities, which is the intention of the FIA in creating this championship.” 2014 Formula 4 calendar: 8 June: Adria 29 June: Imola 13 July: Mugello 3 August: Magione 14 September: Vallelunga 28 September: Monza 19 October: Barcelona

***

For further information on Pirelli, please contact Anthony Peacock on anthony@mediaticaworld.com or
+44 7765 896 930.