Pirelli confirms 2011 F1 tyre offer

Pirelli has officially confirmed its intention to apply to become Formula 1's standard tyre supplier from next season.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Milan-based company announced it will present an offer to the FIA and the teams with the view of supplying its tyres to the field from 2011.

"Pirelli communicates its decision to present a technical and commercial offer for supply of tyres to all the teams in the Formula 1 world championship," said Pirelli in a statement.

"The company plans to present the bid to FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile) and FOA (Formula One Administration Limited) by 9 May, the date of the next Formula 1 Grand Prix to be held in Spain."

Pirelli's statement comes after Williams technical director Sam Michael said following a FOTA meeting that the teams were set to choose between Michelin and Cooper Avon.

"The conversations really, at this point, are between Michelin and Avon," Michael told Reuters. "Avon's a lot cheaper (than Michelin) but it's a less proven product although they've done plenty of highly competitive tyres.

"They are a bigger unknown than Michelin because Michelin did it (in F1) very recently. But there is a significant difference in cost and you are probably talking over three times the difference in cost to the teams.

"So that's what's being debated at the moment."

Paul Hembery, Pirelli's motorsport director, said: "I stand by the press release we have just issued. Last week we said we wanted to make a study into this, we've made that study and progressed to a formal offer."

Pirelli's last spell in Formula 1 was from 1989 to 1991.

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