21/04/2013
NEWS STORY
 |
Mat Coch writes:
Pirelli has refused to confirm reports that it has signed a five-year extension to its current Formula One supply contract.
Speaking during qualifying on Saturday, Sky F1 commentator Martin Brundle stated the Italian company had completed a new deal after speaking with 'someone with knowledge of the matter'.
However, when contacted by Pitpass Pirelli refused to confirm Brundle's claim, stating only that it "can only say we are still completing negotiations."
Negotiations have been ongoing for some time while no rival suppliers have appeared to show any interested in competing for the contract.
It is understood the tyre contract does not need to go to tender, as some have claimed, as Pirelli negotiates with Formula One Management and the teams over its future in the sport beyond the end of the current season.
Pirelli's motor sport director Paul Hembery has previously confessed he wants a new deal in place sooner rather than later, and had initially hoped to have confirmation of that ahead of the Australian Grand Prix in March.