Pirelli becomes official GP3 racing series tyre supplier

ERJ staff report (RD)

Milan, Italy -- Pirelli has been appointed as the official tyre supplier to the one-make single-seater new GP3 Series, a 7 May company statement said.

Pirelli made its debut in the GP3 Series at the Spanish Grabd Prix in Barcelona, from 7-9 May, the first time pirelli has supplied tyres for single-seater racing since 1991, the statement said.

Pirelli said it has designed and developed a racing tyre specifically for the Dallara-built GP3 Series car. “With a two-liter, turbocharged engine developed by Renault's F1 arm putting out 280bhp, the tyre will be subjected to extreme stresses and strains throughout a race weekend,” the Italian tyre maker said.

Designed to act as a stepping stone to Formula One, eight of the nine rounds in the GP3 Series support F1 Grand Prix's.

According to Pirelli, the brief from GP3 Series bosses specified that each tyre should experience a degree of degradation to help the drivers' education process but also to spice up the on-track action.

??"We are delighted to be the official tyre supplier to the inaugural GP3 Series," said Pirelli's Motorsport director Paul Hembery. "Pirelli has a long and proud association with single-seater racing at a variety of levels all the way up to Formula One and we very excited to be helping young drivers develop their skills at a crucial stage in their careers." ??Hembery added: "As the official tyre supplier to the World Rally Championship, Pirelli is well versed in meeting the demands required by high-profile motorsport disciplines and providing an exceptional product and level of service.

??Pirelli recently announced its intention to tender for the Formula One tyre supply contract from 2011 onwards. The Italian firm's last involvement in Formula One ended at the end of the 1991 season, following a victory for Nelson Piquet's Benetton-Ford at the Canadian Grand Prix.

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Press release from Pirelli Tire