A number can mark a milestone. But in Formula 1, it can also become a story: of drivers and engineers, of danger and decisions, of spectators and shared rituals, of research and precision. The presentation of the book A Stir of the Soul: Pirelli’s 500 GPs in the F1 World Championship, edited by the Pirelli Foundation and published by Marsilio Arte, took place today in the conference room of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, as part of the 2026 Grand Prix. The volume celebrates Pirelli’s 500 races in the World Championship through a rich sequence of images and texts. Many materials come from the Pirelli Historical Archive.

The event brought together Marco Tronchetti Provera, Pirelli Executive Vice President and Chairman of Fondazione Pirelli; Stefano Domenicali, President & CEO of Formula 1®; H. E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President, who contributed via video;Jean Todt, United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety; and Nick Heidfeld, former Formula 1 driver, with journalist Tom Clarkson as moderator. During the event, the speakers reflected on the world of Formula 1 and on Pirelli’s relationship with motorsport, each bringing their own testimony and perspective. The result was a journey across eras, circuits, and technical as well as historical aspects, presenting Formula 1 as a powerful form of contemporary imagery and as a story of industry, innovation, and visual culture, looking ahead to future chapters with the same passion that marked its beginnings.

The book also celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Formula 1 World Championship and reconstructs a story within its history. It begins at Silverstone on 13 May 1950, the day the World Championship was born. From that moment on, Pirelli has made its mark in three main periods (1950–1958; 1981–1991; and from 2011 onwards as Global Tyre Partner of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship). Alongside the protagonists on the track – from Alberto Ascari to Juan Manuel Fangio, to Ayrton Senna and Nelson Piquet, through to Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen – the book also reveals the work of the technicians, engineers, and mechanics who make every Grand Prix possible. A world of experts who play a crucial role in shaping the competition. The volume is given a distinctive touch by a previously unpublished photographic reportage by Darren Heath devoted to the 2025 British Grand Prix at Silverstone. This contemporary section, created for the anniversary year, forms a visual bridge between memory and the future. The final section presents key metric overviews and infographics: kilometres, victories, records, and statistics. Together they condense decades of competition and, in a concise form, convey the numerical dimension of a total sport. 
A website with a wealth of materials and pictures accompanies the project: pirelli500gp.fondazionepirelli.org

These one-year extension options were included in the contract agreements signed between Pirelli, the FIA, and Formula 1® in 2023, when the company extended its presence in the top series for the three-year period 2025–2027.

Pirelli will therefore remain the exclusive tyre supplier to the FIA Formula One World Championship™, the FIA Formula 2 Championship, the FIA Formula 3 Championship and F1 ACADEMY until the end of the 2028 season.

H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA: “Pirelli has been an important partner to the FIA Formula One World Championship for many years, providing a consistently high standard of performance, innovation, and safety at the highest level of our sport. This extension through to the end of 2028 provides stability for the championship and reflects the strong collaboration between the FIA, Formula One Group and Pirelli. Together, we continue to drive innovation and support the delivery of exciting racing for competitors, teams and fans around the world."

Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1: "We’ve enjoyed an incredible history and partnership with Pirelli, relying on their technical brilliance and focus on performance, innovation, and sustainability for many years, so I'm delighted that the FIA and we will continue that relationship for another year. As we continue to push boundaries across the technical regulatory framework, Pirelli's commitment to quality gives all the teams and series it supplies peace of mind as they know they are working with some of the most advanced tyres in the world. I’d like to thank FIA President, His Excellency Mohammed Ben Sulayem, and Marco Tronchetti Provera, Executive Vice Chairman of Pirelli - this extension is another fantastic example of working with expert partners, whose experience drives excellence and delivers the very best spectacle on track."

Marco Tronchetti Provera, Executive Vice Chairman of Pirelli: “We are pleased to extend our presence in Formula 1 by a further year, to 2028, thanks to the agreement reached with the FIA – under the leadership of its President Mohammed Ben Sulayem – and with Formula 1. Last year, we surpassed the milestone of 500 Grands Prix, taking on and winning significant technological and innovation challenges throughout our long involvement. Pirelli is not just a supplier but instead a strategic partner that has been able to support the constant growth of the championship, driven by the joint work of the Federation and the promoter. Formula 1 represents the best laboratory for us to innovate, test cutting-edge technical solutions, and continually improve research and development processes, for the benefit of tomorrow’s road tyres. The extension of the partnership also allows us to continue supporting F1 ACADEMY, contributing to the growth and development of new talent in motorsport.”

Pirelli has been the exclusive partner of Formula 1® since 2011, having been present in the series since the inaugural race in 1950. Over more than 75 years, the company has played a pioneering role in the development of tyre-related technologies, accompanying the continuous evolution of the cars throughout the history of the championship, including the most recent changes to the technical regulations.

The company extends its thanks to Mario Isola, who will remain with Pirelli until July 1st, for his significant contribution to the development of the Motorsport business unit, carried out with dedication and great passion.

Pirelli announces that, effective March 1st, Dario Marrafuschi will become Head of Pirelli’s Motorsport Business Unit replacing Mario Isola who will provide support until July 1st to ensure a smooth and effective transition. Isola will then leave the company to pursue new professional challenges.

Marrafuschi, who joined the company in 2008, has extensive experience in Formula 1 in the Research and Development area and in recent years has headed the development of Pirelli’s road products. Like Isola, Marrafuschi will report to Giovanni Tronchetti Provera, Executive Vice President of Sustainability, New Mobility & Motorsport.

The Company wishes to thank Mario Isola for the dedication and great passion with which he has contributed to the growth of the Motorsport business unit over the years.

Starting today, fans can bid on f1authentics.com for the iconic replica of the P Zero tyre that the Imola poleman would have won. To make it extra special, this unique Pole Position Award was signed in Monaco by all the Formula 1 drivers.

 “The Formula 1 community has come together to support the Emilia-Romagna region, which has been severely impacted by last week's adverse weather conditions,” said Pirelli Motorsport Director Mario Isola. “Together with other Global Partners of Formula 1, we have offered a small contribution to raise funds supporting the flood-stricken communities. The Pirelli Pole Position Award that was due to have been presented to the Imola poleman has instead been signed by all the F1 drivers here in Monaco and will now be auctioned off. We hope that all the fans of our sport will compete to win this unique item and so make a further contribution to all the people experiencing great difficulty in Emilia-Romagna."

In addition to the Pirelli Pole Position Award, the bottle of Ferrari Trento sparkling wine that was to be uncorked by the winner of the Imola race has also been signed by all the drivers, and the four trophies prepared for the Formula 1 podium will be auctioned off too. Bids remain open until June 6.