In Race 1, the Team WRT pairing took the lead after a frantic start and held it to the finish. Valentino Rossi, who had started from pole position in the number 46 BMW, received a 10-second penalty for exceeding track limits. The incident involving Rossi's car helped trigger a multi-car collision involving Andrea Frassineti and Daniel Juncadella. After the restart, Weerts built up the gap, which van der Linde then managed through the second half of the race. Rossi and Max Hesse, who had dropped to ninth as a result of the penalty, recovered to finish sixth. Second place went to the Porsche of 24 Hours of Spa winners Bastian Buus and Ricardo Feller, ahead of the Mercedes-AMG of Lucas Auer and Maro Engel, runners-up at Spa.

In Race 2, the van der Linde/Weerts BMW repeated their win after chasing the Mercedes of Juncadella and Jules Gounon, of the Verstappen team, which had started from pole, for half the race. Third place went to the Winward Racing Mercedes of Auer and Engel, who consolidated their lead in the drivers' championship by holding off repeated attacks from fourth-placed Valentino Rossi over the final two laps.

"It was a straightforward weekend from a tyre perspective, as they confirmed their reliability and consistency of performance even in high temperatures and in the sprint races," commented Matteo Braga, Pirelli's Circuit Activity Manager. "On a demanding circuit like Misano, the ability to manage the tyres through the different phases of the race and to read how the track evolved over the weekend were the key factors that allowed the winners to make the difference."

In the other Pirelli-equipped competitions held at Misano over the weekend, the GT2 European Series was won by Marius Aigner and Reinhard Kofler in the MZR team's KTM X-Bow GT2 in Race 1, and by Mikkel Njor and Ethan Gialdini in the CMR team's Ginetta G56 GT2 in Race 2.

In the GT4 European Series, extreme temperatures put the series-derived cars to a severe test. Nonetheless, they held nothing back, pushing to the limit in both races. In Race 1, victory went to Charlie Hart in the Elite Motorsport McLaren, while Gregory Guilvert took Race 2 in the Speedcar team's Audi.

Michael O'Brien won Saturday's McLaren Trophy race, and Guido Lucchetti dominated Sunday's.

“Returning to Misano is one of the highlights of our season, both because of the strong public attendance and the technical characteristics of the circuit,” said Matteo Braga, Circuit Activity Manager. “The P Zero DHG tyres will face a demanding workload, particularly because of the heavy decelerations required by the circuit’s 16 corners. The stresses increase especially through the sections where the drivers aim to carry as much speed as possible, with continuous load transfers between the front and rear axles caused by the succession of braking and acceleration phases. Another factor to consider will be the high temperatures expected over the weekend.”

As in the endurance races, cars competing in the Sprint Cup and in the other series supported by Pirelli at the Misano round – the GT2 European Series, GT4 European Series and McLaren Trophy – will have the P Zero DHG available in a range of sizes suited to every GT class. In the event of rain, the crews will instead be able to rely on the Cinturato WHB.

Two cars, however, emerged as the absolute protagonists: the number 80 Porsche of Lionspeed GP, driven by Thomas Preining, Ricardo Feller and Bastian Buus, and the never-say-die number 51 Ferrari of AF Corse, which finished third thanks to the fighting spirit of Alessio Rovera, Tommaso Mosca and Nicklas Nielsen. Between Ferrari and Porsche, on the second step of the podium, was the number 48 Mercedes-AMG of the Mann-Filter team, entrusted to Lucas Auer, Luca Stolz and Maro Engel.

The victory of the number 80 Porsche was built lap after lap, well before the closing stages. Having started from the pit lane, the car climbed back through the field with consistent pace, effective strategy and decisive overtakes at key moments, turning itself from an outsider into the benchmark of the race. In the final hours, its advantage became increasingly established, helped by clean management of the most delicate phases and by the absence of mistakes when they mattered most.

Behind it, the number 48 Mercedes-AMG defended second place with determination, holding off the Ferrari’s late charge all the way to the finish. The AF Corse car, after dominating the Superpole and the decisive qualifying sessions, led the race several times and confirmed that it had the outright potential to win. Its result, however, was compromised by unfavourable episodes, contacts and setbacks that repeatedly interrupted its run. Its final comeback brought it back onto the podium, but this time its latest resurrection was not enough to challenge the Porsche of Preining, Feller and Buus for victory.

Over the course of the 24 hours, marked by exceptional heat during the daytime phases and by a brief but extremely intense rain shower in the second part of the night, seven cars from six different manufacturers took turns in the lead: the number 51 Ferrari, the number 48 Mercedes-AMG, the number 84 Audi, the number 64 Ford Mustang, the number 46 BMW, the number 74 Ferrari and the number 80 Porsche. There were also numerous neutralisations, with 12 Full Course Yellows and six Safety Car periods, which had a significant impact on strategies, gaps and the race order.

Matteo Braga, Pirelli Circuit Activity Manager: “Tyre management was crucial. In the end, success went to the crews that, over the previous days, made the most of the different conditions across the various sessions to work on race-pace consistency, which proved essential in the most difficult moments of the race. The severe temperature variation was one of the main challenges to manage, both for the cars and for the tyres. The P Zero DHG tyres delivered performance and reliability, supporting an extremely hard-fought competition from start to finish, in which many drivers and a wide variety of cars played leading roles, all operating at the highest level of performance.”

In the GT4 European Series, the most eagerly awaited of the support categories alongside the McLaren Trophy and also supplied by Pirelli, there was a double victory for the number 12 BMW M4 GT4 G82 EVO of Borusan Otomotiv Motorsport, which won race 1 with Thomas Rackl and race 2 with Gabriele Piana.

Team members come from all key functions and, in addition to the Milan headquarters, also hail from Pirelli's other R&D and Motorsport centres scattered across four continents. The personnel will be equipped with monitoring and analysis systems that leverage the most advanced technologies and the expertise Pirelli has accumulated through its involvement in over 350 competitions worldwide.

Such a commitment is, of course, demanded by the sheer scale of the event, whose climax begins at 16:30 on Saturday 27th, when the 24 Hours gets under way. The 70 entries for the main race – valid for both the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup and the Intercontinental GT Challenge, representing ten prestigious manufacturers – are joined by 44 cars for the GT4 European Series and a further 20 for the McLaren Trophy. The top-class field boasts 250 drivers hailing from 43 countries across all continents. Record-breaking numbers that confirm the Spa 24 Hours' ever-increasing significance in customer motorsport.

Lamborghini, winner of last year's edition, will take to the track with the new Temerario GT3, competing in a 24-hour race for the very first time. Ferrari, Ford and Porsche respond with evolved machinery.

MATTEO BRAGA, PIRELLI CIRCUIT ACTIVITY MANAGER:
"Few events in the world combine the technical and competitive challenges of the Spa 24 Hours with such a highly professional and selective environment, bringing together the very best of global motorsport. From a tyre perspective, the 24 Hours traditionally represents a particularly severe test due to the characteristics of the circuit, starting with Eau Rouge, Raidillon and Blanchimont – corners that demand the utmost from the tyres, subjecting them to extreme thermal and mechanical stress. Managing the tyres carefully, with the correct parameters, can make a significant difference over the course of the race. This year an additional variable comes into play: particularly high daytime temperatures will make conditions even more demanding, while the thermal swing between day and night will require teams to carry out very precise work in adapting set-ups and pressures."

THE TYRES
The cars in all categories supported by Pirelli will be equipped with the P Zero DHG, available in various sizes to suit all GT classes. The key features of the P Zero tyres to be fitted on the GT3 cars relate to materials that ensure greater consistency in car balance over long distances.

The DHG tyres destined for GT4 machinery, in addition to sharing innovative materials with those used for the GT3 range, feature an optimised structure in both profile and construction, delivering a more uniform footprint across all track conditions and for all car types.

In wet conditions, crews in all GT classes can rely on the Cinturato WHB, which features a stiffer tread pattern and an optimised design thanks to innovative materials that have helped improve footprint, grip and warm-up performance at low temperatures.

THE REGULATIONS
Cars entered in the 24 Hours have a maximum of 30 sets of dry-weather tyres available for the entire race weekend, with one additional set allocated for participation in Super Pole. This set, however, may not be used during the race itself. There are no restrictions on wet-weather tyres.

Taking the top step of the podium were Andrea Mazzola, Sebastian Øgaard and Ariel Levi in the Tresor Attempto Racing Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II, at the end of a race full of twists right to the finish, with several laps run under safety car and full course yellow conditions. Second place went to the Mann-Filter Team Mercedes-AMG, driven by Luca Auer, Luca Stolz and Maro Engel, while third went to the CSA Racing McLaren, shared by Lorens Lecertua, Baptiste Moulin and Romain Andriolo.

At the start, a chain reaction of contact eliminated several leading contenders, including the HRT Ford Racing Ford Mustang GT3 EVO, which had taken its first GTWC pole position. The early contacts and the subsequent safety car intervention reshaped the race strategies, as several crews used the opportunity to complete their mandatory pit stops. That decision then gave teams greater freedom in choosing the timing of their next stop and extended the stints, increasing the stress on the tyres, already high because of the characteristics of the circuit, the elevated temperatures and the amount of debris left on track over the course of the weekend.

“It was a decidedly demanding weekend for everyone, with plenty of points of interest for the public and for the teams, who were given several elements to reflect on,” commented Matteo Braga, Pirelli Racing Activity Manager. “Our P Zero tyres proved reliable and consistent even in these conditions, across all the categories we supply.”

In the other series supported by Pirelli, including the McLaren Trophy, the GT2 European Series saw a Maserati one-two in Race 1, with Antoine Potty of I4Race taking victory ahead of Gherard Tweraser of LP Racing. Third place went to Jay Mo Härtling in a Mercedes-AMG GT2, who then went on to win Race 2, followed by two more Mercedes cars driven by Nil Montserrat and Branden Oxley, both from NM Racing Team.

In the GT4 European Series, Enrico Förderer completed a double, winning both Race 1 and Race 2 in a Mercedes-AMG GT4.

The race is expected to be particularly closely fought, with 57 entries representing 10 manufacturers. Setting the pace will be the Mercedes of Lucas Auer and Maro Engel, which leads the provisional standings after the first two races. Alongside the GT3 cars, 80 further cars from the other GT series competing at Monza will also be in action, all supplied by Pirelli: the GT2 European Series, GT4 European Series and McLaren Trophy.

“It will certainly be an interesting and challenging weekend for everyone,” commented Matteo Braga, Circuit Activity Manager Pirelli. “Not only because of the high number of entries and the ever-increasing level of competitiveness in GTWC, but also because the season is now moving into a decisive phase, with several crews ready to try to make an early break. Given the characteristics of the race and the circuit, careful tyre management will be fundamental, also taking into account the expected weather conditions.”

The cars competing in the race will have Pirelli P Zero DHG slick tyres available, as well as Pirelli Cinturato WHB tyres in the event of rain, which is currently forecast as probable during the race itself, at the end of a weekend that is otherwise expected to be very hot.

- New Pirelli's tailor-made tyres for the 2026 DTM

- ADAC GT Masters also continues to rely on Pirelli tyres

Pirelli will remain the exclusive tyre partner of the DTM. The Italian tyre manufacturer - which is also currently the sole tyre supplier for F1 and, from 2027 onwards, for MotoGP - won the contract in a transparent and non-discriminatory tendering process. Starting in the 2026 season, Pirelli will contribute its motorsport expertise even more extensively and supply the DTM with tyres designed and developed exclusively for the series.

From next year, DTM tyres will be "Made in Germany", developed and produced at the technology hub in Breuberg in Hesse.

But Pirelli is not only intensifying its involvement in the DTM on a technical level. By integrating the series more closely into its own sales and marketing activities and on international digital channels, the tyre manufacturer is ensuring significantly higher visibility for the DTM.

"The DTM is the GT and touring car series with the highest performance density worldwide and places special demands on tyres. We are responding to this with Pirelli's tailor-made tyres. The new tyre for the DTM also ensures fair competition and is an effective means of enforcing testing restrictions in the series. The introduction of the exclusive tyre is an important step for the development of the DTM. We are delighted to be taking this step together with Pirelli," says ADAC Motorsport Director Thomas Voss.

“The ADAC’s decision underscores the high quality of our tyres and the excellent work of our team. The DTM can continue to rely on top tyre performance and dependable support at the track. The tyre production in Germany is certainly a big asset for the series,” commented Mario Isola, Director of Pirelli Motorsport. "Pirelli and the DTM will continue on their shared path, confirming the success of the partnership that began in 2023. This is a source of great pride for us and, at the same time, a responsibility. We will continue to provide our utmost support to one of the world's most prestigious and professional championships with bespoke technological solutions. This partnership represents a significant commitment, but also a valuable opportunity for further growth for our team."

The partnership includes the development of an exclusive tyre line for the DTM, characterised by innovative processes and materials designed to meet the specific race format and the growing competitiveness of the series. These new tyres, which will be introduced from the next season, will integrate the latest RFID technology for tracking. They will be manufactured at Pirelli's Breuberg plant in Hessen, one of the most advanced among the Group's 18 production sites worldwide. The facility boasts a state-of-the-art R&D department, which works in direct connection with the company's headquarters and other global research centers.

In addition to the DTM, Pirelli will also be supplying tyres to the ADAC GT Masters in the coming years.

The product lines for the GT Masters will follow their own independent development path, maintaining continuity with the worldwide GT platform. The ADAC GT Masters will continue to use the P Zero DHG tyre generation introduced for the 2025 season. Pirelli has been the tyre partner of the ADAC GT Masters since 2015.

Finishing behind the WRT BMW was the Absolute Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) driven by Kevin Estre, Laurens Vanthoor, and Patrick Pilet, which in turn preceded the Johor Motorsports JMR Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3 R of Alexander Sims, Nicky Catsburg, and Scott McLaughlin.

While the lead of the race was never in doubt, the crowds filling the grandstands were still treated to overtakes, twists of fate, and incidents in a race that – particularly in its second half – was tight and fiercely contested, slowed on multiple occasions by the deployment of the safety car.

Qualifying had followed a similar pattern: dominated by the Van der Linde-Marciello-Weerts trio, but marked by several incidents, including two red flags, and variable track conditions, which changed repeatedly from wet to dry due to frequent but short showers. The constant changes meant drivers could only gather limited reference data for the race.

"The return to the calendar of a historic and prestigious race like the Suzuka 1000 Km could not have gone better, with great spectacle and excellent organisation," commented Matteo Braga, Pirelli Circuit Activity Manager. "As for us, we are very satisfied with the performance of the P Zero DHG which, even on a track that is never kind to tyres, once again demonstrated not only great consistency but also excellent durability, contributing to the spectacle of the race. We now turn our attention to Spain for the final two races of the GTWC Europe in Valencia and Barcelona, and to Indianapolis where the final round of the IGTC will be celebrated."

In the Japan Cup GT3 category, a rapidly growing series also supported by Pirelli, Race 1 was won by Akita and Takashi Kobayashi in the Team Upgarage Ferrari 296, while Race 2 victory went to the duo of Yorikatsu Tsujiko and Kei Cozzoli in the Ponos Racing Ferrari 296 GT3. In GT4, meanwhile, Race 1 was won by Yoshitomo Makino and Takeshi Suehiro in a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4, while Race 2 saw the success of Haridarma Manoppo and Seita Nonaka in a Toyota GR Supra GT4.

Over 30 cars will compete on the iconic 5.8-kilometre circuit in Mie Prefecture, which they will navigate for 170 laps. However, all eyes will be on the BMWs of Augusto Farfus and Kelvin van der Linde. United under the same WRT team, they are separated by just two points in the standings in their fight for the seasonal victory, with only the Indianapolis race remaining after Suzuka.

The major challenges of the Suzuka 1000 km are inherent in the track's unique figure-of-eight layout. With both clockwise and anti-clockwise sections, it tests a car's balance and both sides of the tyres equally. Furthermore, the narrow track combines technical, twisty sections with high-speed sweeps, which together subject the tyres to continuous stress. Compounding the situation are the typically high temperatures forecast for the 14th September weekend, as well as the variable weather conditions characterised by frequent downpours.

“The return of the Suzuka 1000 km to the calendar after a five-year absence could not have happened under better auspices for the spectacle,” said Matteo Braga, Pirelli Circuit Activity Manager. “Not only will we witness a battle that could be decisive for the Intercontinental GT Challenge title, but we will also have the chance to observe the local teams and drivers in both the main race and the Japan Cup, who have shown significant and consistent growth in recent years. The characteristics of the circuit and the race format require a particularly careful tyre management strategy.”

THE TYRES FOR THE 1000 KM
All cars entered in the IGTC and the Japan Cup will have access to the new P Zero DHG tyres, which made their debut this year across all GT categories and championships, including GTWC Asia and the Japan Cup itself. The new P Zero succeeds and shares the principal characteristics of the DHF. Over its three years of service, the DHF was widely praised by teams and drivers for its versatility and reliability in all conditions, and for providing a solid foundation for the development of the SRO's Balance of Performance (BoP) system.

The main innovations of the new P Zero, which equips the premier GT class, concern the materials. The entire range for GT cars carries the Forest Stewardship Council™ (FSC™)¹ logo. This indicates that all the natural rubber used in the tyres² comes from plantations that are managed to ensure biodiversity, as well as benefiting the people who live and work in these areas. This stringent FSC™ certification process ensures that all certified material is kept separate from that which is not certified throughout the supply chain from the plantation to the tyre manufacturer.

<sup>1. Pirelli tyres (FSC™N003618) are FSC™-certified as MIX Natural Rubber. This shows that they are manufactured from a combination of natural and synthetic rubber, conforming with FSC™ ADVICE-40-004-15.
2. The equivalent of 17 percent of the total weight of the tyre</sup>
 

The circuit itself stands as one of the most technical and demanding of the season, featuring 17 corners (nine right-handers) across its 4.411-kilometre layout. Its combination of high-speed straights, sweeping bends, and tight chicanes places relentless demands on tyre performance. 

"After the scorching test at Misano two weeks ago, we can confidently say the P Zero DHG tyres have faced every racing challenge expected in their debut season," explains Matteo Braga, Pirelli’s Racing Circuit Manager. "At Magny-Cours, the tyres will need to deliver consistent grip – even in cooler temperatures – on a surface that is naturally low in adherence. They must also provide stability under braking and corner entry. I expect two tense, hard-fought races, as we’ve seen all season."

Among the main support races at the event will be the Championnat de France FFSA GT 4, for which Pirelli is the exclusive tyre supplier.

As in the Endurance Cup, the Sprint Cup and other Pirelli-supported series at Magny-Cours will once again feature the P Zero DHG tyres, tailored in different specifications to suit all GT classes. The key innovations of the new P Zero, fitted to GT3 cars, include advanced materials that ensure greater consistency in long-run car balance. Should rain intervene, teams will rely on the Cinturato WHB wet-weather compound.

Race 2 on Sunday afternoon was no less dramatic, interrupted on lap seven due to a multi-car collision and restarted only after a two-and-a-half-hour delay. In this case, victory went to the Garage 59 McLaren 720S, driven by Benjamin Goethe and Marvin Kirchhöfer, who had started from pole position and managed to fend off the Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 of Lucas Auer and Maro Engel, as well as the Rutronik Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) of Patric Niederhauser and Sven Müller.

Matteo Braga, Pirelli's Racing Circuit Manager – who was tasked with presenting the GT3 crews with their trophies over the weekend – remarked: “The new P Zero tyres handled the heat test with confidence – the only remaining test, at least in race conditions. With ambient temperatures exceeding 30 degrees and track temperatures approaching 50, the tyres lived up to expectations in terms of performance, durability, and reliability. We'll get definitive confirmation at Magny-Cours, where conditions could be similar. In the meantime, we've gathered a wealth of data and were pleased to receive public praise from Valentino Rossi for our work. Our congratulations to him on yet another career victory.”

As for the other Pirelli-equipped categories, the GT4 class saw a double win for Benjamin Lariche and Robert Consani, who claimed both Race 1 and Race 2 at the wheel of the Speedcar team's Audi R8 LMS.

In GT2, it was also a double victory for the Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo, though with two different driver pairings and teams. Saturday’s sprint race was won by Shota Abkhazava and Egor Orudzhev of ART-Line, while on Sunday morning the Italian duo Diego Locanto and Luca Segú of DL Racing crossed the finish line first.

In total, eight different brands made it onto the podium over the course of the weekend: four on the top step (BMW, McLaren, Audi, and Lamborghini) and four on the lower steps – namely Ferrari (GT3), Mercedes (GT3, GT4, and GT2), Maserati (GT2), and Porsche (GT3).

“In what is a long season, Misano is one of our favourite races, because it attracts a big crowd and the track itself presents a real challenge,” commented Matteo Braga, Circuit Activity Manager, Pirelli. “The P Zero DHG is making its debut at this track and it will have plenty to do due to the heavy braking zones for the 16 corners. Some of these turns put greater stress on the tyres as drivers try and maintain as high a speed as possible, while the load constantly shifts between the rear and front axles as the drivers are constantly braking and then accelerating. This weekend, the DHG tyres are likely to experience the highest temperatures they have encountered so far, and that is a factor not to be underestimated.”

As is the case in the endurance races, here too in the Sprint Cup and the other Pirelli-supported series at Misano, namely the GT2 European Series and the GT4 European Series, cars will run the P Zero DHG, available in various sizes to suit all the GT classes. The main innovations of these new P Zero tyres fitted to the GT3 cars, concern the materials which provide greater consistency and car balance over long distances. If it should rain, the crews will be able to count on the Cinturato WHB tyres.

Despite starting 12th on the grid, the Lamborghini steadily asserted its dominance in the final hours, though its rivals, particularly the Porsche, which finished just 8.7 seconds behind, kept the pressure on until the chequered flag.

Over the 24 hours, marked by unseasonably hot and dry conditions for the Ardennes, six different manufacturers - BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Mercedes, and Porsche - all led the race at some point.

MATTEO BRAGA, PIRELLI CIRCUIT ACTIVITY MANAGER
"The P Zero DHG tyres delivered both performance and reliability, supporting an intensely competitive race from start to finish. A diverse field of drivers and cars, all operating at the highest level, showcased the versatility of our product, even in its new evolution, making its debut this year. Ultimately, victory went to those who best interpreted the closing conditions, making use of data from earlier sessions to optimise tyre performance, particularly in today’s scorching afternoon temperatures. This strategic approach was key to securing a winning race pace."

In the GT2 European Series and GT4 European Series, also supplied by Pirelli, Race 1 wins went to Stefan Rosina’s Lamborghini (Team Micanek) and Paul Petit’s Audi (Speedcar), while Race 2 saw another victory for Micanek’s Lamborghini, this time driven by Bonek Formanek, and Berkay Busler’s BMW (Team Borusan).

Over the Spa weekend, Pirelli also equipped cars competing in the McLaren Trophy Europe, where Britain’s Sam Neary triumphed in Race 1 and Sweden’s Erik Behrens took victory in Race 2.

As usual, Pirelli takes over the Spa circuit, deploying enough personnel and equipment to ensure the necessary level of support for the record 76 cars entered in the 77^th edition of the Belgian classic.

The logistical and organisational effort instituted by Pirelli, the sole supplier not only for the 24 hours, but also for the main support events, is built around a core team of 140 at the track, made up of technicians, engineers and other staff. All key functions within the company are represented, coming not just from the Milan headquarters, but also from other R&D and Motorsport centres, from four continents. Personnel can count on monitoring and analysis systems that make use of cutting-edge technologies and Pirelli’s experience in over 350 races in which it is involved worldwide.

Such a significant commitment, which has few equals in international motorsport, is required because of the scale of the event. In addition to the teams competing in the 24 Hour, in both the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup and the Intercontinental GT Challenge, there are also 44 cars competing in the GT4 European Series, and more than 30 crews across the GT2 European Series and the McLaren Trophy. These record numbers reaffirm the growing importance of the Spa 24 Hours in privateer racing worldwide.

MATTEO BRAGA, HEAD OF CIRCUIT ACTIVITY PIRELLI
“While last week's 24 Hours of Nürburgring was both demanding and deeply satisfying given the results we achieved, the Spa-Francorchamps race will be even more challenging. For us, it’s like an annual motorsport masters in which we play our part. There are few events in the world that combine technical and competitive challenges with a highly professional atmosphere and environment, where the best of world motorsport come together. From a tyre perspective, the 24 Hours is traditionally a tough test: the tyres are pushed to their limit, thermically and mechanically and managing them correctly, by choosing the right parameters, can make the difference come the end of the race. Past editions have proved that the win goes to those who are consistent and can strike the right balance between pace and speed without taking unnecessary risks.”

THE TYRES
Cars in all categories supported by Pirelli will run the P Zero DHG, produced in several sizes to suit all the GT classes and featuring the use of innovative materials that provide more consistent car balance over long distances. Compared to the previous generation, the DHG for the GT2 and GT4 cars, apart from the new materials also used for the GT3 line, also features a new structure, with optimised profile and construction, to ensure a more consistent contact patch on all types of surface for all cars,
In wet weather, drivers in all GT classes can count on the Cinturato WHB. Compared to the previous generation, it features a stiffer tread and a redesigned pattern, characteristics made possible by the use of innovative materials, which have helped improve the contact patch, optimising grip and warm-up at low temperatures.

THE REGULATIONS
Cars entered in the 24 Hours can use a maximum of 30 sets of dry tyres over the course of the entire race weekend, to which one further set is added for those taking part in the Super Pole. However, this set cannot be used in the race itself. There is no limit on the number of wet weather tyres that can be used.

Pirelli will play a leading role in both events, taking on an unprecedented production, logistic and organisational challenge. Over 250 engineering and support staff will be on hand to provide the highest level of service to teams and drivers. 

THE PIRELLI TEAMS AT THE NURBURGRING
Pirelli has been the sole supplier at Spa since 2013, but the race format at the Nurburgring also features competition between various tyre manufacturers. For the German 24 Hour race, the Italian company will partner Dinamic Motorsport’s Porsche 911 GT3, Dörr Motorsport’s McLaren Arutra Trophy and the Aston Martin GT4s, as well as supporting the Walkenhorst Motorsport Aston Martin Vantages in both the SP9 and SP10 categories, and the German team’s Hyundai i30N in the VT category.

In fact, Pirelli has recently signed a multi-year agreement with Walkenhorst Motorsport, which sees the German team join the pool of key partners for development work at the Nurburgring-Nordschleife circuit. The agreement strengthens a long-standing partnership crowned by multiple successes. On one hand, Walkenhorst has competed alongside Pirelli in several series where the Milan-based company is the exclusive tire supplier — such as the ADAC GT Masters and the GT World Challenge Europe. On the other, many of the German team’s GT victories have been achieved precisely on Pirelli tyres.

Also running Pirelli tyres will be BSL Racing’s Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS CS and the Bulldog Racing Mini.

MATTEO BRAGA, RACING ACTIVITY MANAGER PIRELLI:
“These will be two weeks of hard work for all of us, but enjoyable and involving at the same time, as well as an opportunity to share experiences internally. In fact, at the Nurburgring, our central motorsport team will be able to work very closely and effectively with our colleagues from the German motorsport and research and development group. As for Spa, as always, we will be joined by engineers and developers from our motorsport and technology centres from around the world. These two races will deliver a massive amount of very important data, from having our tyres put to the test under the most extreme conditions possible. At the Nurburgring, as is always the case, I expect fierce competition within each category, full of uncertainty and with any outcome possible right to the very end. We are supporting very determined and high quality teams who will definitely have their say.”

THE TYRES
For the 24 Hours of Nurburgring, the GT4 cars will be able to use the standard Pirelli range of tyres from the GT range: the slick P Zero DHG Pirelli and, in the event of rain, the Cinturato WHB Pirelli. The GT3 cars will use a special evolution of the DHG and WHB, developed as per the regulations, for this type of circuit and race.

The DHG, which is new for this season, follows on from the DHF, which over its three years of use was highly regarded by the teams and drivers who appreciated its versatility and reliability. The DHG is a solid foundation for the development of the BoP system put in place by SRO. The new P Zero, available in several sizes to suit all GT classes, features the use of innovative materials that provide more consistent car balance over long distances.

The latest evolution of the Pirelli WHB wet weather tyres has this year become the standard for all GT cars, across all classes in the major events. Compared to the previous generation, this WHB features a redesigned tread pattern, made possible through the use of the latest generation of materials. These new compounds, along with increased tread stiffness, have improved the contact patch, optimising grip and warm-up at low temperatures, without compromising stability during transition from a wet to dry track. The tyre’s resistance to aquaplaning has been improved, widening its race performance window.

As from this year, all dry and wet weather Pirelli tyres for GT cars will carry the Forest Stewardship Council®(FSC®)¹ logo. This certifies that all the natural rubber used in the tyre² comes from plantations managed so as to preserve biodiversity, while also benefiting the people living and working in these areas.
 

^{1 Pirelli tyres (FSC®N003618) are FSC® certified as MIX natural rubber, meaning they are made from a combination of matural and synthetic rubber in accordance with FSC® ADVICE-40-004-15. 
2 This corresponds to approximately 17 percent of the total weight of the tyre.}

"His loss is a tragedy that deeply saddens us," said Terenzio Testoni, Pirelli Rally Activity Manager. “On behalf of Pirelli, I would like to extend our most heartfelt and sincere condolences to his family and friends.”

On the sporting front, the Polish round is the second-oldest rally competition in Europe, now in its 81st edition. Sixty-three crews are set to take the start, including Jon Armstrong in a Pirelli-equipped Ford Fiesta, as well as Jos Verstappen and Andrea Mabellini, both driving Skoda Fabias on Pirelli tyres.

This year’s event features 14 special stages, totalling 190.40 timed kilometres. While much of the route has been updated, Rally Poland maintains its traditional challenges, namely uneven and often sandy roads on which it is hard to find grip.

“It’s a very difficult and high speed rally, where attention to detail is very important. With every car passage the terrain gets rougher, forming deep ruts that can challenge even the most experienced drivers” commented Terenzio Testoni. “At the moment, the forecast is for dry weather, but on rallies like this one cannot take anything for granted.”

Pirelli drivers will be able to use three versions of the Scorpion gravel tyre range: the K4A hard, the K6A soft, the prime tyre for this event and the K8B supersoft. As per the regulations, each crew can use a total of 16 tyres, including those chosen for qualifying.

Rally Poland is also the third round of this season’s ERC Fiesta Rally3 trophy, for which Pirelli is the sole supplier. The Trophy cars will run the Scorpion 175/70-15 K4 hard and K6 soft.

Completing the podium were the Garage 59 McLaren 720S GT3, driven by Joseph Loake, Marvin Kirchhöfer, and Benjamin Goethe, and the Comtoyou Racing Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3, with Mattia Drudi, Nicki Thiim, and Marco Sørensen sharing driving duties.

TIRE STRATEGY PROVES DECISIVE
The numerous early-race interruptions expanded strategic options for teams, leading to varied approaches. Some crews opted to come in early for one of the three mandatory pit stops, while others chose a more conservative strategy, saving tyres for the latter stages of the three-hour race which was held in challengingly high track and ambient temperatures.

"We expected an exciting and demanding weekend, and that’s exactly what we got, with plenty of valuable insights for the upcoming 24 Hours of Spa," commented Matteo Braga, Pirelli Circuit Activity Manager. "As predicted, smart tyre management, made even more complex by the frequent interruptions, was crucial to the race outcome. We’ve gathered extensive data to analyse ahead of the next rounds."

A TRIBUTE TO ANDREA BERTOLINI
One of the weekend’s highlights was the celebration of Ferrari and Maserati legend Andrea Bertolini, who contested his final race. Pirelli honoured the multiple closed-wheel champion with a special commemorative wind tunnel tyre, presented by Braga.

"I can look back on a rich career, and throughout this journey, Pirelli has always been by my side," reflected Bertolini during the ceremony. "Together, we’ve grown and improved year after year. I’ve won many times in my career, and Pirelli played a significant role in those successes."

“It’s definitely going to be an interesting and challenging weekend for everyone,” commented Matteo Braga, Circuit Activity Manager Pirelli. “Not just because of the record number of entries and the ever increasing level of competitiveness in GTWC, but also because of having to make a third obligatory pit stop, but with the same number of tyres available, which will make the final outcome harder to predict and will complicate team strategies. Given the characteristics of the race and the track, careful tyre management will be essential.”

The GT3 cars entered will run the P Zero DHG Pirelli slicks and the Cinturato WHB Pirelli in the case of rain, which at the moment is forecast to fall at some point over the course of the race which takes place on Sunday from 15.00 to 18.00.

These same tyres will also be used by competitors in the Monza weekend’s support race, the McLaren Trophy, for which Pirelli is again the sole supplier.

There’s a field of 65 drivers chasing championship points, including Jon Armstrong in a Ford, with Jos Verstappen and Andrea Mabellini in Skodas, all running Pirelli tyres.

The challenges of the technically demanding Hungarian rally are well known to the crews, but it is still a tricky event because of its varied and rugged terrain, compounded by recent rain and a forecast for changeable weather. A particular feature of this event is its narrow, twisty gravel roads, with steep climbs and uneven surfaces, which require very precise car control and an ability to adapt to changing surface conditions.

“You can’t take anything for granted in a rally like this,” commented Terenzio Testoni, Rally Activity Manager Pirelli. “Precise driving in every situation and accurate note making during the recce are vital. Qualifying takes on greater importance because those starting first on the stages will have an advantage on this type of surface which deteriorates rapidly with each pass. After recent rain, no more is currently forecast, but if there should be more rain, the starting position becomes even more critical.”

To tackle the 13 special stages making up the 193 timed kilometres, Pirelli is supplying its drivers with the three versions from its Scorpion gravel range: the K4A hard, the K6A soft, the prime tyre for this rally, and the K8B super soft. The regulations allow each crew to use up to 16 tyres in total, including those for qualifying.

Rally Hungary is also the second round of the season for the ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy, for which Pirelli is the sole tyre supplier. The Magyar event sees a record number of 9 cars in this class and they will run the Scorpion 175/70-15 K4 hard and the K6 soft.

The first endurance race of the season, had the large crowd enthralled on Saturday night all the way to the end. It many ways, it was a sort of prologue to the 24 Hours of Spa which will take place in early June, because of the weather and track temperature, as well as for the large 59 car entry and the intensity of the battles on track. At the flag, it was the 32 BMW driven by Charles Weerts, Ugo De Wilde and Kevin van der Linde who gradually, lap by lap made its way up the order from eighth on the grid, catching out its opponents to pull off a surprise win. Behind the BMW came two Porsche 911 GT3 R (992): the Rutronik Racing car driven by Sven Müller, Patric Niederhauser and Alessio Picariello and the Schumacher CLRT car in the hands of Ayhancan Güven, Laurin Heinrich and Klaus Bachler. Proving just how competitive is this series, three other marques filled the next few places: Mercedes-AMG of Team Mann-Filter, the Comtoyou Racing Aston Martin and the CSA Racing McLaren.

“Watching such close racing is not only a pleasure, it’s also professionally satisfying,” commented Matteo Braga, Circuit Activity Manager Pirelli. “The weather challenged the teams and drivers as they adapted to a brand-new product in very changeable conditions, going from warm weather on Friday to the cold of Saturday night. I’d say that everyone coped well with the unknowns. As for the DHG, it was tested under extreme conditions and the response to the stresses was such that the teams were able to play for victory at all times during the race.”

On Sunday, the GTW European Series and the GT4 European Series races in which all cars were also running the Pirelli DHG tyres, were equally exciting. In GT2, the Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo Evo run by Micanek Motorsport won both Race 1 and Race 2, in the latter on WHB wet weather tyres as the race was run in quite heavy rain. In GT4, Academy Motorsport’s la Ford Mustang GT4 2024 won Race 1. In the afternoon, victory went to Audi R8 LMS di Speedcar in mixed dry and wet track conditions, competitors opting for the DHG slicks. 
 

PIRELLI QUOTE
“Pirelli’s season starts with a demanding weekend from a logistics and organisational point of view, but we’re not complaining as it confirms just how vibrant are the SRO GT series,” commented Matteo Braga, Pirelli’s Circuit Activity Manager. “When it comes to our product, we are curious to see how the new DHG performs in such a tough race, after it delivered very positive results in the test, much appreciated by the teams.”

P ZERO DHG: A WIDER WORKING RANGE AND GREATER VERSATILITY
The opening round of the season marks the race debut of the new P Zero DHG tyres, which completes the revision of the entire GT range. The DHG is the successor to the DHF, which over its three years of use drew plaudits from the teams and drivers because of its versatility and reliability in all conditions and provided a solid foundation for the BoP system developed by SRO.
The new P Zero comes in various sizes to suit all the GT classes. The main innovations of the new P Zero fitted to the blue riband GT category concern the materials used, which ensure quicker warm-up and more consistency in terms of car balance over long distance. As for the DHG tyres for the GT2 and GT4 cars, apart from having the same new materials as the GT3 range, are different to the previous generation in terms of their carcass, with an optimised profile and construction to ensure a more uniform footprint in all track conditions and for all cars.

THE WET WEATHER CINTURATO WHB 
Introduced in 2024 solely for the GT2 cars and in some championships also for GT3, the latest evolution of Pirelli’s wet weather tyre for this season will be the standard across the board for all GT cars of every class in the main championships this year. The Cinturato WHB, which as from this year uses FSC® certified natural rubber, as do the dry weather tyres, features a new, stiffer tread design than the previous generation, thanks to the use of innovative materials. The new compounds have contributed to improving the footprint, while optimising grip and warm-up at low temperatures. The stability in the transition from wet to dry conditions has not been compromised, nor has its sensitivity to aquaplaning, which has in fact improved. Finally, its operating window in a race has been expanded. 

FSC® CERTIFICATION
This year’s range for GT cars will feature the logo of the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®)¹ . This indicates that all the natural rubber used in the tyres² comes from plantations that are managed so as to ensure biodiversity, as well as benefiting the people who live and work in these areas. This stringent FSC® certification process ensures that all certified material is kept separate from that which is not certified throughout the supply chain from the plantation to the tyre manufacturer. 
The extension of this certification to the GT range of tyres confirms Pirelli’s commitment to research into solutions that contribute to progressing motorsport’s path to sustainability, in line with initiatives undertaken by the FIA (International Automobile Federation) and the promoters of the various championships in which it is involved.
For a seventh consecutive year, Pirelli has been confirmed as a world leader in the fight against climate change, securing a place in the 2024 Climate A list produced by the CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project), an international non-profit organisation that gathers, disseminates and promotes information on environmental matters. Pirelli is the first tyre manufacturer to be awarded three stars from the Environmental Accreditation Programme promoted by the FIA.
 

^{1 The Pirelli tyres (FSC®N003618) are FSC® certified as a natural rubber MIX, which means they are produced with a mixture of natural and synthetic rubber, in compliance with l'FSC® ADVICE-40-004-15.
2 Equal to a share amounting to 17% of the total weight of the tyre.}

For the event’s 13 special stages, totalling 209.9 timed kilometres, Pirelli, on its debut at this Andalusian rally, is supplying its crews with the P Zero tyres in hard, (RA5B), medium (RA7E) and soft (RA7+C). Apart from the dry weather tyres, the Cinturato RWC wet weather tyre is also available. Among the drivers racing on the P Zero tyres in Andalusia will be former F1 driver Jos Verstappen in a Skoda, Andrea Mabellini, also Skoda-mounted, Pepe Lopez driving a Hyundai and Jon Armstrong in a Ford. Jon is a talented youngster, who hails from the junior category, which Pirelli has always supported and invested in, as was the case with Paddon in the European Championship.

In addition, Pirelli will also play a key role as the sole supplier and technical partner to the ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy, now in its second season, with seven crews taking part in Rally Sierra Morena.

Matteo Braga, Circuit Activity Manager Pirelli: “The unexpected changeable weather in the South of France over these two days meant we were able to test both the new dry tyres as well as the wet weather ones in tough conditions. Over the four test sessions we actually encountered heavy rain, cold, wind, sunshine, a dry track, and a drying track which allowed the teams to get an understanding of the product and collect valuable data for the forthcoming seasons. For our part, we can say that what we have seen in Le Castellet confirms the positive results of the tests carried out in the development phase.”

Monday, the quickest times were set by the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO 2, which posted a 1:55.186 in the morning and a 1:59.374 in the afternoon. Yesterday, the Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO topped the time sheet in 1:53.657, while in the afternoon, the McLaren 720S GT3 EVO set a time of 1:53.602.

The GTWC will next be back in action over the weekend of 11-13 April, again at Le Castellet for the first race of the season. 
 

THE NEW PIRELLI GT RANGE
The tyres for GT2, GT3 and GT4 cars in all championships supplied by Pirelli have several new features for the 2025 season. 
In particular, the new DHG, available to the GT3 cars is manufactured using innovative materials that deliver a wider working range, quicker warm-up and more consistency in terms of car balance over long distance. As for the DHG tyres for the GT2 and GT4 cars, apart from having the same new materials as the GT3 range, are different to the previous generation in terms of their carcass, with an optimised profile and construction to ensure a more uniform footprint in all track conditions and for all cars.

Introduced in 2024 solely for the GT2 cars and in some championships also for GT3, the latest evolution of Pirelli’s wet weather tyre for this season will be the standard across the board for all GT cars in the main championships this year. The Cinturato WHB features a new, stiffer tread design than the previous generation, thanks to the use of innovative materials. The new compounds have contributed to improving the footprint, while optimising grip and warm-up at low temperatures. The stability in the transition from wet to dry conditions has not been compromised, nor has its sensitivity to aquaplaning, which has in fact improved. Finally, its operating window in a race has been expanded. 
 

FSC™¹ CERTIFICATION
The tyres supplied to Formula 1* by Pirelli were the first in any form of motorsport to use FSC™- certified natural rubber, and now the entire range for GT cars will also carry the Forest Stewardship Council™ logo. This indicates that all the natural rubber used in the tyres² comes from plantations that are managed to ensure biodiversity, as well as benefiting the people who live and work in these areas. This stringent FSC™ certification process ensures that all certified material is kept separate from that which is not certified throughout the supply chain from the plantation to the tyre manufacturer.

 

⁽¹⁾ Pirelli tyres (FSC™N003618) are FSC™-certified as MIX Natural Rubber. This shows that they are manufactured from a combination of natural and synthetic rubber, conforming with FSC™ ADVICE-40-004-15.
⁽²⁾ the equivalent of 17 percent of the total weight of the tyre

In line with its policy of constant evolution of its range of motorsport tyres, for the 2025 season, Pirelli is introducing a new generation of dry weather tyres for use by GT2, GT3 and GT4 cars competing in all the GT championships for which the Italian company is the supplier. The tyre goes by the name of P Zero DHG which, compared to the previous generation introduced in 2022, features numerous innovations which go beyond pure performance. In fact, the natural rubber component of this new family of tyres is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council™ (FSC™)¹ in line with the Pirelli range, which as from last year was developed for Formula 1®.
The debut of the new tyres took place this morning at the Paul Ricard circuit in Le Castellet, during the pre-season tests of the GTWC Europe, running until tomorrow, the prologue to one of the most important and exciting championships on the international GT scene.

PZERO DHG: A WIDER WORKING RANGE AND GREATER VERSATILITY
The new DHG completes the overhaul of the complete GT range, alongside the WHB wet tyre introduced last year and replacing the DHF, which met with the approval of teams and drivers over the past three years that it was in use, because of its versatility and reliability in all conditions and provides a solid basis for the development of the BoP system put in place by SRO. 
The DHG is available in different sizes to suit all GT classes. The main innovations of the new P Zero that will be used by the top GT class are the materials that ensure a wider working range, faster warm-up and greater consistency in terms of car balance of long distances. 
Compared to the previous generation, the DHG tyres for the GT2 and GT4 cars, apart from using new materials that also feature in those for the GT3 cars, have a new carcass with an optimised profile and construction to ensure a more uniform footprint in all track conditions and for all cars.

THE WET WEATHER CINTURATO WHB
Introduced in 2024 solely for the GT2 cars and in some championships also for GT3, the latest evolution of Pirelli’s wet weather tyre for this season will be the standard across the board for all GT cars in the main championships this year. This year, the Cinturato WHB will contain FSC™-certified natural rubber as do the dry weather tyres. They feature a new, stiffer tread design, thanks to the use of innovative materials. The new compounds have contributed to improving the footprint, while optimising grip and warm-up at low temperatures. The stability in the transition from wet to dry conditions has not been compromised, nor has its sensitivity to aquaplaning, which has in fact improved. Finally, its operating window in a race has been expanded.

FSC™ CERTIFICATION
The tyres supplied to Formula 1* by Pirelli were the first in any form of motorsport to use FSC™- certified natural rubber, and now the entire range for GT cars will also carry the Forest Stewardship Council™ logo. This indicates that all the natural rubber used in the tyres² comes from plantations that are managed to ensure biodiversity, as well as benefiting the people who live and work in these areas. This stringent FSC™ certification process ensures that all certified material is kept separate from that which is not certified throughout the supply chain from the plantation to the tyre manufacturer. 
This extension of certification to the rubber used in the range of GT tyres is confirmation of Pirelli’s commitment to seeking solutions that accelerate motorsport’s path towards sustainability, in line with the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and the promoters of the various championships in which it is involved. 
For a seventh consecutive year, Pirelli has been placed among the global leaders in the battle against climate change, featuring on the 2024 Climate A list, produced by the CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project), the international non-profit organisation that gathers, disseminates and promotes information on environmental issues. Pirelli is also the first tyre manufacturer to be awarded three stars under the FIA’s Environmental Accreditation Programme.
 

⁽¹⁾ Pirelli tyres (FSC™N003618) are FSC™-certified as MIX Natural Rubber. This shows that they are manufactured from a combination of natural and synthetic rubber, conforming with FSC™ ADVICE-40-004-15.
⁽²⁾ the equivalent of 17 percent of the total weight of the tyre
 

In between a January start in Australia and a November finish in Macau, there will be around 450 races, in over 75 championships open to GT cars, taking in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Oceania. These are the highlights of Pirelli’s 2025 GT racing season, once again making the Italian company the busiest tyre manufacturer on the world motorsport scene.

The commitment to GT racing is expanding this year, with the addition of more championships such as the GT Winter Series. Highpoints of the year will include the Spa and Nurburgring 24 Hour races, as well as the Macau GP and the Suzuka 1000 kilometres, which is back on the calendar for 2025. These events stand out because of their prestige and the large number of entries, while alongside these are all the GTWC races in Europe, America, Asia and Australia, the national and international GT4 championships, the European GT2 Championship, the Ferrari Challenge, the McLaren Trophy and the TransAm.

The season which will see over 200 technicians, engineers and other staff, working on five continents, gets underway with the opening round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge, the Bathurst 12 Hours, from 31 January to 2 February.

The Australian event is always one of the toughest on the calendar because of the circuit layout and the characteristics of the track surface which is particularly demanding on tyres.

PIRELLI QUOTE
Matteo Braga, Circuit Activity Manager: “We have an important season ahead of us, with new events and, most importantly, new products that we will be announcing in the coming weeks. To deal with all these tasks we can count on an exponentially growing level of experience and a strong and motivated team, both at our headquarters and at local level, the latter expanding rapidly in terms of the number of people involved and the quality of the service we provide to the teams. Furthermore, we can rely on great relationships and partnerships with the federations, promoters, teams, drivers and car manufacturers, built up over the years. We can also count on the versatility and reliability of our products at all circuits and in all conditions, thanks also to a solid development base for a BoP, such as in SRO, which ensures closely contested and spectacular racing.”

THE TYRES FOR BATHURST
In action on the Australian track will be the P Zero DHF, which has not undergone any significant changes since last season, when it proved to be up to the demands of the current racing cars. Among the tyre’s principal characteristics are a wide working range and a construction that optimises the balance of the car, with a better connection between the front and rear.

The FIA Formula Regional race was suspended for a long time after just one lap because of an accident involving several cars, after which there were numerous appearances from the Safety Car with the leading positions remaining unchanged. In fact, the order at the finish line was the same as the grid order when it came to the podium positions: behind Ugochukwu came Oliver Goethe and Noel Leon, in a repeat of the result of Saturday’s qualifying race. 

Heavy and incessant rain right from the early hours of the morning led to various cancellations and changes to the programme. The FIA GT3 World Cup race was held on a wet track, with cars shod with Pirelli Cinturato, but visibility was good, allowing the drivers to fight in what was a spectacular race. In the end, Engel in a Mercedes GT3 came out on top, after Antonio Fuoco in the Ferrari 296 GT3 crashed, with two laps remaining, when he was hit by the BMW M4 GT3 of Raffaele Marciello, who also went off. Augusto Farfus and Sheldon Van der Linde were second and third respectively, both driving BMW M4 GT3s. 

Marciello was victorious in Saturday’s Qualifying Race which secured him the special Pole Position Award presented by Pirelli and featuring an effigy of a dragon, in tribute to the Chinese sign of the zodiac for the current year.

The dragon also featured on the dry weather P Zero DHF, used by the GT3 cars. And one of the P Zero DHF Macau edition tyres fitted to a rim from Marciello’s car was later donated by Pirelli to the Macau GP Museum, where it will be on display alongside other motor racing artefacts. The tyre was accepted on behalf of the museum by Ao Leong, Macau’s Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture and Luis Gomes, coordinator of the Macau Grand Prix Organising Committee.

PIRELLI QUOTE
Matteo Braga, Circuit activity manager: “This past weekend, the changeable weather and the torrential rain made what is already a tricky track, by virtue of its twisty city streets and varying grip levels, even more of a challenge. We are pleased with the way our products responded, confirming their versatility and reliability in all conditions. The P Zero DHF and the Cinturato WHA in particular, with which many of the drivers taking part in the Macau GT3 World Cup are familiar as they are used all the major GT championships, delivered consistent performance thanks to their wide working range. The range used in Formula Regional, a category making its debut at Macau, no stranger to FIA single-seater categories, also performed very well. As always, the Macau GP, of which we are a well-established partner, proved to be extremely interesting from several perspectives, with its importance extending far beyond Asia.”

Apart from Formula Regional, which used the P Zero DMB and the Cinturato WSB and the GT3, Pirelli also supplied the same tyres used in this latter category to the 27 GT4 cars entered in the Greater Bay Area GT Cup and to over 50 Toyotas taking part in their own trophy.
 

THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON
To celebrate the 71st Grand Prix, which coincides with the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Macau Special Administrative Region, as well as the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Pirelli has come up with a special design that decorates the sidewall of the P Zero tyres to be raced on the GT3 cars. It features a stylised dragon, in keeping not only with local tradition, but also with the Chinese zodiac sign of the year 2024. After the event, one of the tyres will be put on display alongside other cars and components at the Macau Grand Prix Museum, a popular attraction for all motorsport enthusiasts. The dragon also features on the Pole Position Award that will be presented to the winner of Saturday’s Qualifying Race.

THE TYRES
The most powerful cars in the most eagerly awaited category of the event will use various versions of the P Zero and Cinturato tyres. The dry weather P Zero DHF and the wet weather Cinturato WSB are being supplied to the 23 GT3 crews competing in the FIA GT World Cup, the 27 GT4 cars in the Greater Bay Area GT Cup and to over 50 Toyotas taking part in their own local trophy race. The P Zero DMB and Cinturato WSA will be supplied to the 27 single-seaters entered in the FIA FR World Cup, the category making its debut at the Macau street circuit. Providing logistical and technical support to the teams and drivers will be a Pirelli crew of around 40 engineers, technicians and other staff, made up of members of the international Motorsport and local Chinese teams.

PIRELLI QUOTE
Matteo Braga, Circuit Activity Manager: “As a busy season packed with events and commitments is about to end, our involvement in the Macau Grand Prix is always of special importance to us, both from a technical and organisational point of view. The coming races will be challenging and interesting on a track that presents several hazards linked to its twisty nature with many tight corners. Qualifying well is vital in all categories, when it is crucial to get the most out of the tyres, exploiting their driveability, especially at the hairpin and in the corners.”
 

Maserati won Race 1 and KTM X-Bow won Race 2, while Audi R8 won both GT4 races

Braga: “The versatility of the P Zero ensured reliability even with the unexpected additional pit stop, which shuffled the order a bit”

The third from last round of the GT World Challenge Europe was expected to deliver close racing and plenty of excitement and the big crowd that packed the Monza circuit were not disappointed. Ahmad Al Harthy, Sam De Haan and Jens Klingmann in a BMW M4 entered by the OQ team won a race that was rather confusing because of the need to introduce a third pit stop to allow refuelling on a track that is now much faster since being resurfaced. Second was another BMW M4 driven by Dries Vanthoor, Sheldon Van der Linde and Charles Weerts, while coming home third was the  Ferrari 296 crewed by Alessandro Pierguidi, Alessio Rovera and Vincent Abril (team AF Corse). There were several changes to the order at the front of the field, with quite a few cars going off the track, and collisions, which led to several yellow flags.

Confirming the fact that the track is now much faster, a new Monza track record for a GT3 car was set in qualifying in a time of 1:44.727 by the Team GRT Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO 2.

Matteo Braga, Pirelli Circuit Activity Manager: “Following its recent resurfacing, Monza confirmed its status as a high speed track, enhancing its reputation as the Temple of Speed. The additional pit stop introduced for this race ended up making it more difficult for the teams to work out the best strategy in terms of tyre management and meant the tyres were run over a longer stint. The versatility and wide working range of the P Zero nevertheless ensured reliability even in these unexpected circumstances, allowing teams to attempt new strategies to deal with the extra mileage, without compromising performance.”

As for the other categories, in the GT2 European Series, the LP Racing team’s Maserati GT2, driven by Carlo Tamburini won race 1, while in race 2, victory went to Martin Koch in a KTM X-Bow GT2 (team MZR Motorsportzentrum Ried). In the GT4 European Series, Benjamin Lariche and his Audi R8 LMS (team Speedcar) won both races in this category.

Improved drainage and water collection

Braga: “Vital for drivers to understand how best to manage the tyres”

The GT World Challenge show, with a championship that has yet to be decided with three races remaining, is back in Monza at a track currently undergoing a renovation programme, with many significant new features already in use. Apart from changes aimed at improving the infrastructure of the facility, such as modifying underpasses and building a new one, the most significant changes that affect the actual racing, car performance and the tyres are the improved drainage system to clear away water and the fact the entire track has been resurfaced.

THE CHALLENGE
The main changes resulting from all the modifications have already been assessed by Pirelli at the Italian Formula 1 GP and they are:

• A smoother, darker track which is normal with a new surface
• As a result, a higher track temperature than usual can be expected in sunny weather, as was the case over the F1 weekend, when it reached 54 degrees centigrade
• Increased grip which thus influences overall performance of cars and tyres and the operating temperatures of the latter
• Rapid track evolution over the course of the weekend

PIRELLI QUOTE
Matteo Braga, Pirelli Circuit Activity manager: “We know the Monza track very well, along with the challenges it poses as one of the fastest circuits of all, which the new surface will only serve to emphasise and increase in severity. It will be important for the teams and drivers to gather as much information as possible during practice and qualifying, so as to optimise tyre management, as we saw with the recent Formula 1 Grand Prix. But keep an eye out on the weather, as rain cannot be ruled out and that would mix things up. In summary, I’m sure that, as always at Monza, we will be treated to a spectacular and exciting race.”

THE TYRES AT MONZA
For dry conditions, drivers will have the DHF, developed to meet the specific demands of all GT classes.

Among the main characteristics of the DHF are a wide operating range and a construction that helps balance the car thanks to a better connection between front and rear.

In the case of rain, drivers will be able to rely on the Cinturato WHA.

Nice weather meant only the dry tyres were required

Spectacular and closely contested races, BMW dominant, a win plus a further podium for Valentino Rossi in the two GT3 races on Saturday: those were the highlights of the GTWC weekend at Misano, the second sprint event of the season. It provided great entertainment for the crowd and confirmed that this series is attracting increasing numbers of high level competitors, as well as more fans. On the Pirelli front, it also demonstrated that, once again, the P Zero DHF tyres provided drivers with the requisite peace of mind so that they could tackle the tricky demands of the Marco Simoncelli circuit without any worries.

Looking at the races in detail, in Race 1 on Saturday afternoon, the win went to the BMW M4 GT3 of Maxime Martin and Valentino Rossi in a race that went down to the wire. Rossi, on his second consecutive win at his home track, was hounded all the way to the flag by team-mate Charles Weerts, who had taken over from Dries Vanthoor at the pit stop, just managing to fend him off, crossing the line only under three tenths of a second ahead. The close fight between the BMWs confirmed that Team WRT were on great form, as had already been seen in Friday’s qualifying. Third was the Emil Frey Ferrari of Thierry Vermeulen and Giacomo Altoe, trailing almost 17 seconds behind the leading pair. Race 2 was also spectacular, with Weerts and Vanthoor taking a comfortable win, fending off the attentions of Lucas Auer e Maro Engel (Mercedes-AMG n. 48). Third was the 46 car of Rossi and Martin to round off BMW’s overwhelming dominance of the weekend.

Matteo Braga, Circuit Activity Manager: “As was the case at Brands Hatch, the Sprint Cup demonstrated just how challenging it can be, as well as how exciting it is for the spectators. The unexpected lovely weather helped the show, but it has delayed the track debut of our new wet weather tyre, the Cinturato WHB, which was ready and waiting for the rain expected for Sunday morning’s GT2 race. There will be other opportunities no doubt. In any case, we gathered important data relating to the P Zero DHF at this track whose characteristics always throw up some tricky challenges.”

Over the weekend, apart from the GT3 and GT2 races, Pirelli was also involved in GT4 and the McLaren Trophy, with the cars running the same tyre as in the other series.

With Misano completed, the GT cars will next head to Spa where, as from Tuesday 21 May, they will start testing for the 24 Hours which takes place from 26 to 30 June. It’s a very important event for the teams, who are also preparing for the other 24 Hour GT race at the Nurburgring, another round of the Interncontinental GT Challenge, which gets underway on 1 June.

The 30,000 spectators at the ‘Temple of Speed’ over the weekend witnessed a closely-fought race, with five of the eight manufacturers represented in the championship finishing in the top 10. BMW and Audi were among the stars of the show, each with three cars in the top seven, having covered 94 laps.

Rowe Racing made the most of the first two qualifying sessions, the only ones to be held this morning, to start from first and third on the grid. Valentino Rossi, Maxime Martin and Augusto Farfus were second, in a WRT-run BMW, but their car was forced into retirement an hour after the start.

Despite predictions of uncertain weather, the track remained dry throughout the race with ambient temperatures between 20 and 21 degrees. Asphalt temperature was 41 degrees when the race got underway at 15:15, dropping by five degrees before the finish.

All the cars used the Pirelli P Zero DHF, introduced in 2022 specifically for GT racing. Compared to the previous DHE, the new construction improves car balance between front and rear in particular. The DHF also offers a winder usage window, as shown today, and it has been optimised to work well even in high temperatures.

The next round of the GT World Challenge Europe will be at Brands Hatch from May 13-14 for the opening round of the Sprint Cup, which has reached a record of 41 entries this year: to be split into three classes in England for reasons of space.

The Endurance Cup will resume at Paul Ricard in France from June 2-4, before heading to Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium for the legendary 24 Hours from June 27 to July 2.

MORE THAN 9000 TYRES FOR MORE THAN 270 CARS
This was a busy weekend for Pirelli’s motorsport division, which was present at three tracks in northern Italy. As well as the opening round of the GT World Challenge Europe, Pirelli supplied the second round of the Ferrari Challenge Europe at Misano, as well as the first ACI Racing Weekend of the year at Imola, which hosted the FIA-certified Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine and Italian F4 Championship, plus the Zinox F2000 Italian Trophy.

At Monza, Pirelli supplied 4200 tyres for the GT World Challenge Europe teams as well as those in the GT2 European Series and GT4 European Series, making a total of more than 100 GT cars on track. Around 70 staff from Pirelli were present to ensure the correct management of the tyre supply.

At the Marco Simoncelli Misano track, around 2000 Ferrari Challenge Europe tyres were managed by 14 fitters. Pirelli has been the sole supplier of Ferrari’s one-make series since it started in 1993. More than 40 Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo cars took to the track (split between the Trofeo Pirelli and Coppa Shell classes) using the P Zero DHB, specifically developed for the Ferrari series.

Meanwhile, at Imola’s Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, the 110 cars entered into the three Pirelli-supplied championships at the ACI Racing weekend had 3200 tyres available to them, managed by 16 fitters.