04/11/2013
NEWS STORY
While some celebrate the most pointless of F1 milestones, Pirelli's 100th World Championship Grand Prix success has gone unmarked.
Sunday's Abu Dhabi victory with Sebastian Vettel marked the 100th Grand Prix win for the Italian manufacturer which first entered the sport in 1950, the year in which the Formula One World Championship debuted.
Though it left the sport in 1958 it returned for further periods in 1981 and 1989, until replacing Bridgestone as sole supplier in 2011.
When we advised Pirelli of the milestone, a spokesperson said: "Yes, we were thinking of having a party but then we thought 'we win (and lose) every race, so really that's too easy' and left it at that."
While it is true that Pirelli, as sole supplier, does win every race unopposed, there were long periods when Goodyear and subsequently Bridgestone did likewise, and while Pirelli might not have any opposition now there were long periods when it did and won.
Therefore, at a time the Italian manufacturer is in the headlines, often for all the wrong reasons, and then due to circumstances out-with its control, that 100th win should be marked.
If Ferrari and Fernando Alonso can make such a song and dance about the infamous 1571 points, Pirelli has every right to celebrate its 100.
Check out our Abu Dhabi Grand Prix gallery, here.