Pirelli considering quitting WRC

The Italian tyre giant could decide to pull out following a run of poor results and rival Michelin's decision to re-brand its participation as BF Goodrich at the end of last season.

In 30 years of competition the firm has won 11 manufacturers' titles, but its WRC commitment was slashed involuntarily when Peugeot and Mitsubishi walked out of the sport at the end of 2005.

Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery says that following the two manufacturers is one option Pirelli is considering for next season. Subaru is the only manufacturer using Pirelli rubber in 2006.

Hembrey said: "We have three options at the end of this season: we can walk away, we could request a control tyre in the sport or we could follow Michelin's move and re-brand to one of our smaller and lesser known makes of tyre.

"The latter is not what we want to do. I was upset with what Michelin did at the end of last year. Where's the value in us competing against BF Goodrich? That's not a premium brand."

Hembrey added that the hike in costs for Pirelli following the loss of Peugeot and Mitsubishi had also hit hard.

"Running tyres for three teams is not three times as expensive as one," he said. "I had a feeling that Peugeot would leave, but when Mitsubishi went I had no idea. The news came in December and left me in the shit. It was too late for us to do anything.

"Instead of having three teams and six cars, we have one team and two cars. Obviously we've had Gigi Galli and private Mitsubishis out, but at the moment the exposure doesn't match the expense."