24
September
2015
|
11:43
Europe/Amsterdam

Winning debut for new Pirelli FIA-homologated P Zero RK

Winning is always difficult, but winning again is probably even more so. Pirelli FIA-homologated P Zero RK tyres with Paolo Andreucci and Anna Andreussi won the Rally del Friuli Venezia Giulia. The ultra-successful Peugeot Italia crew repeated their Friuli victory of 2014, dominating the event from the first to the last stage. In their Pirelli-equipped Peugeot 208 T16, they clinched a record-breaking ninth Italian title (the eighth with Pirelli), with two rallies on their domestic championship still to go. Andreucci overcame the fearsome reputation of the all-asphalt event (no driver has ever managed to claim two consecutive Rally del Friuli wins in the last 12 years) and made the most of new tyre regulations on the Italian championship, as a wide variety of manufacturers went head-to-head with the latest generation of FIA-homologated rubber for the first time. This is a single pattern of tyre for all conditions, as used in the World Rally Championship. Second place also went to a car using the latest P Zero RK tyres – crewed by Alessandro Perico and Mauro Turati – underlining the technology and performance built into the latest Pirelli rally products, designed with exactly the same philosophy that characterises P Zero tyres for the road. Paolo Andreucci said: “Total happiness – that’s how I’m feeling at the moment. It’s been a fantastic championship, which we’ve now wrapped up with two rallies to go. Many thanks to Pirelli and all our partners, who have supported us with passion and commitment all year.” Pirelli’s product manager Terenzio Testoni concluded: “We are very happy with the winning performance of our latest FIA-homologated P Zero RK tyres, which showed their capabilities overall and in the two-wheel drive class, with both factory-supported and private entries. Most of all, we’re delighted with this ninth title for Paolo and Anna. Along with Peugeot Italia, they have been part of our story for a very long time, with Paolo also being our test driver for rally products. Massive congratulations to them both, from all of us at Pirelli.”