WRC waits on tyre decision

12th March 2010

By Anthony Peacock

FIA president Jean Todt has raised the possibility that the World Rally Championship could be returned to open competition for tyre companies from next season.

A decision on the control tyre supplier for the next three years (from 2011 to 2013) had been expected from the World Motor Sport Council in Bahrain yesterday, but there was no mention of any agreement being reached in the FIA’s communication from the meeting. Current control tyre supplier to the WRC Pirelli is known to be the only firm which has tendered for the deal.

When asked why there was no news on the agreement, Todt replied: “Obviously the situation with the current sole tyre supplier ends at the end of 2010. Our arrangements thereafter remain under discussion. We are asking is it a good solution to have only a sole tyre supplier in FIA world championships?”

The other WRC decision expected yesterday surrounded the 2011 calendar, a situation Todt refused to be drawn on. The president said: “There is no final decision [for 2011]. There will be a decision by April 16, so we have four weeks to optimise the situation.”