Pirelli’s Commitment to Sustainability in Formula 1 Tyres: A Decade-Long Journey
As the FIA’s (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) tender process for the 2025-’28 Formula 1 seasons comes to a close, Pirelli’s dedication to sustainability has emerged as a key element. The Italian tyre manufacturer has long been at the forefront of environmentally responsible practices, earning a three-star certification under the FIA’s Environmental Accreditation Programme in November 2021.
Pirelli’s journey towards sustainability began many years ago, with initiatives such as powering its factories with electricity from renewable sources. This dedication to reducing its carbon footprint was evident even before the tender process began.
“We got the FIA certification more than one year before the tender,” says Pirelli director of motorsport Mario Isola. “So, we already started well before the tender to work around sustainability. And if we talk about sustainability in the company, we started with the first actions in this direction many years ago.”
One significant aspect of Pirelli’s sustainability efforts involves the products used in manufacturing. The company has achieved another important milestone with its 2024 Formula 1 tyres receiving certification from the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC). This certification ensures that Pirelli’s tyres meet rigorous standards for sustainability, from rubber plantation to end-of-life recycling.
Pirelli’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond its tyres to its logistics operations. With a 24-race schedule, transporting tens of thousands of tyres around the world poses a significant challenge. To address this, Pirelli has implemented measures such as using sea freight for over 90% of its shipments and employing the latest Euro 6E standard trailers in Europe.
Reducing the number of tyres manufactured and transported is a key target for Pirelli. The company has made changes to enable the reuse of unused wet tyres, which has already saved around 2-3000 tyres per season. Pirelli is also exploring potential rule changes to reduce the number of tyres used during a race weekend, although this requires careful consideration with the teams.
In addition to its on-track efforts, Pirelli has made significant strides in reducing its development tyre production through the use of sophisticated simulation tools. This approach has enabled the company to cut the number of physical prototypes produced, resulting in a substantial impact on sustainability.
Other initiatives include the reduction of blanket usage, which has already been achieved for wet tyres and is planned for intermediates. Pirelli has also implemented measures to reduce electricity consumption, such as lowering the temperature and time tyres spend in blankets.
The fate of used Formula 1 tyres is another crucial aspect of Pirelli’s sustainability efforts. The company has transitioned from burning tyres to crushing and reusing them as secondary raw materials for new applications, such as plastic floors and tarmac.
Pirelli’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond its tyres to all aspects of its race weekend operations. The company has eliminated single-use plastics, and its team kit features recycled materials. Pirelli’s dedication to sustainability is a decade-long journey, and one that continues to evolve and improve.
“As we look to the future, we have plans to extend our sustainability initiatives even further,” says Isola. “Our goal is to make a positive impact on the environment, while continuing to deliver high-performance tyres for the Formula 1 grid.”
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