Editing Pirelli

{{Short description|Italian multinational tyre manufacturer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Pirelli & C. S.p.A.
| logo = Pirelli - logo full (Italy, 1997).svg
| image = Pirelli headquarters 2020.jpg
| image_caption = Headquarters in [[Milan]], Italy
| type = [[Public company|Public]]
| traded_as = {{BIT|IT0005278236|PIRC}}<br>[[FTSE MIB]]
| ISIN = {{ISIN|sl=n|pl=y|IT0005278236}}
| founder = Giovanni Battista Pirelli
| hq_location_city = [[Milan]]
| hq_location_country = Italy
{{Coord|45.5195317|9.2111299|type:landmark_region:IT-25|display=title,inline}}
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = {{ubl|Jiao Jian<br>{{small|(Chairman)}}|[[Marco Tronchetti Provera]]<br>{{small|(Executive Vice Chairman)}}|Andrea Casaluci<br>{{small|(CEO)}}}}
| industry = [[Automotive]]
| products = [[Tyres]] for [[car]]s, [[motorcycle]]s, and [[bicycle]]s
| revenue = {{Euro|6,615.7|link=yes}} million
| revenue_year = 2022
| operating_income = {{Euro|595.6}} million
| income_year = 2022
| net_income = {{Euro|435.9}} million
| net_income_year = 2022
| assets = {{Euro|13.897}} billion
| assets_year = 2022
| equity = {{Euro|5.454}} billion
| equity_year = 2022
| num_employees = 31,301
| num_employees_year = 2022
| subsid = Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.
| foundation = {{start date and age|1872|1|28|df=yes}}<br/>[[Milan]], [[Kingdom of Italy|Italy]]
| homepage = {{url|pirelli.com/global/en-ww/homepage}}
| parent = 
| owners = {{plainlist|
* Marco Polo International Italy S.r.l. ([[ChemChina]]) (37%) (China)
* Investitori istituzionali italiani (29.7%) (Italy)<ref>{{cite web |title=Pirelli & C |url=https://www.borsaitaliana.it/borsa/azioni/profilo-societa-dettaglio.html?isin=IT0005278236&lang=it |website=borsaitaliana.it |publisher=borsaitaliana.it |access-date=24 February 2025 |archive-date=6 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206025701/https://www.borsaitaliana.it/borsa/azioni/profilo-societa-dettaglio.html?isin=IT0005278236&lang=it |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Camfin S.p.A. ([[Marco Tronchetti Provera]]) (22.8%) (Italy)
* [[Brembo]] S.p.A. (6%) (Italy)
* Other (4.5%)

}}
| footnotes = <ref name="AR2022">{{cite web|url=https://corporate.pirelli.com/corporate/en-ww/investors/financial-publications/financial-reports|title=Annual Reports 2022|publisher=Pirelli|access-date=2023-05-14|date=2023-04-12|archive-date=14 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514041058/https://corporate.pirelli.com/corporate/en-ww/investors/financial-publications/financial-reports|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

'''Pirelli & C. S.p.A.''' is an Italian [[Multinational corporation|multinational]] [[Tire|tyre]] manufacturer based in the city of [[Milan]], Italy. The company, which has been listed on the [[Borsa Italiana]] since 1922,<ref>{{cite web|title=Pirelli Company Profile|url=http://www.borsaitaliana.it/companyprofile/en/214.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301192412/http://www.borsaitaliana.it/companyprofile/en/214.pdf|archive-date=1 March 2014|access-date=21 February 2013|publisher=Borsa Italiana}}</ref> is the 5th-largest tyre manufacturer,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.carlogos.org/reviews/largest-tire-manufacturers.html|title=Largest Tire Manufacturers in the World|date=30 April 2020|work=Car logos|access-date=22 June 2020|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625025048/https://www.carlogos.org/reviews/largest-tire-manufacturers.html|archive-date=25 June 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> and is focused on the consumer production of tyres for cars, motorcycles and bicycles. It is present in Europe, the Asia-Pacific, Latin America, North America, and the [[post-Soviet states]], operating commercially in over 160 countries. It has 19 manufacturing sites,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.pirelli.com/corporate/en-ww/aboutus/about-us|title=Pirelli – About us|access-date=29 June 2017|archive-date=26 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626132523/http://corporate.pirelli.com/corporate/en-ww/aboutus/about-us|url-status=live}}</ref> across 13 countries, and a network of around 14,600 distributors and retailers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/psi-dotcom-prd/corporate/3149_2018.05.14_Company_Presentation+v15_LINKS.pdf|title=Pirelli Company Presentation|publisher=Pirelli|access-date=18 May 2018|archive-date=18 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518200308/https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/psi-dotcom-prd/corporate/3149_2018.05.14_Company_Presentation+v15_LINKS.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2015, China National Chemical Corp. Ltd. ([[ChemChina]]) took controlling interest of Pirelli; with the Chinese state-owned company agreeing to maintain the tyre company's ownership structure until 2023.

Pirelli has been sponsoring sport competitions since 1907 and is the exclusive tyre partner and supplier for the [[Grand-Am]] [[Rolex Sports Car Series]] for 2008–2010, [[FIA Formula One World Championship]] for 2011–present and for the [[Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme|FIM]] [[World Superbike Championship]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/27072011/58/pirelli-supply-wsbk-tyres-2015.html|title=Pirelli supply wsbk tyres|publisher=Yahoo sport|access-date=21 February 2013|archive-date=29 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029203857/http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/27072011/58/pirelli-supply-wsbk-tyres-2015.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Pirelli's headquarters are located in Milan's [[Bicocca (district of Milan)|Bicocca district]]. Pirelli is now solely a tyre manufacturing company. In the past, it had been involved in fashion and operated in [[renewable energy]] and [[sustainable mobility]].

On 4 October 2017, Pirelli returned to the Milan Stock Exchange<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-pirelli-ipo/share-price-fall-deflates-pirellis-market-comeback-idUKKCN1C91AU|title=Share price fall deflates Pirelli's market comeback|last=Anzolin|first=Elisa|work=U.K.|access-date=26 February 2018|language=en-GB|archive-date=27 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227035123/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-pirelli-ipo/share-price-fall-deflates-pirellis-market-comeback-idUKKCN1C91AU|url-status=dead}}</ref> after focusing its business on pure consumer products (tyres for car, motorcycles, and bicycles) and related services, and separating the business of industrial tyre.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.european-rubber-journal.com/2017/04/04/pirelli-separates-industrial-unit-become-pure-consumer-tire-company/|title=Pirelli separates from industrial tires unit to become "pure consumer tire company" – European Rubber Journal|date=4 April 2017|work=European Rubber Journal|access-date=26 February 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=27 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227035758/http://www.european-rubber-journal.com/2017/04/04/pirelli-separates-industrial-unit-become-pure-consumer-tire-company/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Pirelli's [[Pirelli Calendar|eponymous calendar]] has been published since 1964, and has featured the contributions of many famous photographers over the years such as [[Helmut Newton]], [[Steve McCurry]], [[Peter Lindbergh]], [[Richard Avedon]], [[Bruce Weber (photographer)|Bruce Weber]], [[Herb Ritts|Herb Rits]], and [[Annie Leibovitz]].

==History==
Founded in [[Milan]] in 1872 by Giovanni Battista Pirelli (1848–1932), the company initially specialised in [[rubber]] and derivative processes and also made scuba [[diving rebreather]]s and [[dry suit]]s used by Italian frogmen during World War II.<ref name=rebreather>{{Cite tech report|last1=Coates|first1=J. K.|last2=Kincaid|first2=T. C.|last3=Lanphier|first3=E. H.|title=Evaluation of the Pirelli Underwater Oxygen Breathing Equipment for Use in the Naval Service |publisher=Navy Experimental Diving Unit Technical Report|volume=NEDU-RR-2-52|date=1952-01-28|url=https://archive.org/details/foia-2023-517-ad-0784176|access-date=14 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|first=F. K. Jr.|last=Butler|title=Closed-circuit oxygen diving in the U.S. Navy|journal=Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society Journal|date=2004|volume=31|number=1|page=9|pmid=15233156}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.therebreathersite.nl/Zuurstofrebreathers/Italian/pirelli_diving_suit.htm |title= Pirelli diving suit |first=Jan-Willem |last=Bech |website=www.therebreathersite.nl |access-date=13 October 2024 }}</ref> Thereafter, Pirelli's activities were primarily focused on the production of [[Tire|tyre]] and [[Electrical cable|cable]]s (for [[energy]] and [[telecommunications]]). In 2005, Pirelli sold its cable division to [[Goldman Sachs]], which changed the new group's name to [[Prysmian]]. In the 1950s, Alberto Pirelli commissioned the building of a skyscraper, [[Pirelli Tower]], in the same Milanese area that housed the very first Pirelli factory during the 19th century.<ref>{{cite book|first=Antonino|last=Terranova|editor-first=Valeria|editor-last=Manferto De Fabianis|title=Skyscrapers|language=en,it|location=Vercelli|publisher=White Star|year=2003|isbn=88-8095-230-7}}</ref>

In 1974, Pirelli invented the "wide [[radial tyre]]", upon a request from the [[Lancia]] rally racing team for a tyre strong enough to withstand the power of the new [[Lancia Stratos]]. At that time, racing tyres were either [[slick tyre]]s made with the [[cross ply]] technique (very wide tyres with a reduced sidewall height), or [[radial tyre]]s, which were too narrow to withstand the Stratos' power and did not provide enough grip. Both were unusable for the Lancia Stratos, as the radials were destroyed within 10&nbsp;km, and the slicks too stiff. Lancia asked Pirelli for a solution, and in 1975 Pirelli created a wide tyre with a reduced sidewall height like a slick but with a radial structure. Subsequently, Porsche started using the same tyres with the [[Porsche 911 Turbo]]. In 1988, Pirelli acquired the Armstrong Rubber Company, which was headquartered in [[New Haven, Connecticut]], US for $190 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://connecticuthistory.org/armstrong-finds-a-niche-in-the-tire-market |title=Armstrong Finds a Niche in the Tire Market |date=7 September 2013 |publisher=Connecticut Humanities |access-date=22 July 2015 |archive-date=23 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723130936/http://connecticuthistory.org/armstrong-finds-a-niche-in-the-tire-market/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2000, Pirelli sold its terrestrial fibre optic cables business to [[Cisco]] and its optical components operations to [[Corning Inc.|Corning]], for 5 billion euro.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/cisco-taps-pirelli-for-optical-technology/|title=Cisco taps Pirelli for optical technology|work=CNET|access-date=31 May 2017|language=en|archive-date=29 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729011212/https://www.cnet.com/news/cisco-taps-pirelli-for-optical-technology/|url-status=live}}</ref> It invested, through Olimpia, part of the resulting liquidity to become a majority shareholder in [[Telecom Italia]] in 2001,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2001/jul/30/citynews.media|title=Pirelli seizes Telecom Italia|last=Hepher|first=Tim|date=30 July 2001|work=The Guardian|access-date=31 May 2017|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=29 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729004147/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2001/jul/30/citynews.media|url-status=live}}</ref> maintaining this position until 2007.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c44c1ef6-d1d0-11db-b921-000b5df10621.html?ft_site=falcon&desktop=true#axzz4igYZpn9S|title=Tronchetti/Telecom Italia|date=14 March 2007|work=Financial Times|access-date=31 May 2017|issn=0307-1766}}{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In 2002 the company started a range of Pirelli-branded clothing, watches and eyewear.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.pirelli.com/corporate/en/company/brand/ind-design/default.html |title=Industrial Product Design - PIRELLI PZero: Industrial Design Project For Clothing |access-date=5 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310104928/http://www.pirelli.com/corporate/en/company/brand/ind-design/default.html |archive-date=10 March 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2005, Pirelli sold its Cables, Energy Systems and Telecommunications assets to [[Goldman Sachs]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.penews.com/magazine/analysis/content/content/541211/restricted|title=Goldman Sachs buys Pirelli Cables for €1.3bn|website=www.penews.com|access-date=31 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805124509/http://www.penews.com/magazine/analysis/content/content/541211/restricted|archive-date=5 August 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the newly formed company was named [[Prysmian Group|Prysmian]]. In the same year, 2005, Pirelli opened its first tyre production plant in Shandong province, [[China]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.tyrepress.com/2005/10/pirelli-opens-first-tyre-plant-in-china/|title=Pirelli Opens First Tyre Plant In China|date=12 October 2005|work=Tyrepress|access-date=31 May 2017|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729023142/http://www.tyrepress.com/2005/10/pirelli-opens-first-tyre-plant-in-china/|archive-date=29 July 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> This was the beginning of the group's production complex in the country. In 2006, Pirelli chose [[Slatina, Romania|Slatina]] for its first tyre production plant in [[Romania]], expanding the facility in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.romania-insider.com/pirelli-to-turn-slatina-tyre-factory-in-romania-into-companys-biggest-plant-with-eur-160-mln|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124031415/https://www.romania-insider.com/pirelli-to-turn-slatina-tyre-factory-in-romania-into-companys-biggest-plant-with-eur-160-mln|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 January 2021|title=Pirelli to turn Slatina tyre factory in Romania into company's biggest plant with EUR 160 mln|work=Romania Insider|access-date=18 June 2019}}</ref>

In 2010, Pirelli completed its conversion to a pure [[List of tire companies|tyre company]] by selling Pirelli Broadband Solutions<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/pirelli-broadband-idUKLDE69B11H20101012|title=Pirelli to sell broadband ops by end-Oct-source|first1=Stefano|last1=Rebaudo|first2=Nigel|last2=Tutt|first3=David|last3=Holmes |work=Reuters UK|access-date=31 May 2017|language=en-GB|archive-date=29 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729051650/http://uk.reuters.com/article/pirelli-broadband-idUKLDE69B11H20101012|url-status=dead}}</ref> and spinning off the real estate assets of Pirelli Re.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/pirelli-idUKLF59813520091026|title=DEALTALK-Pirelli seen reviving tyre, real estate split|first1=Nigel|last1=Tutt|first2=Sitaraman|last2=Shankar|work=Reuters UK|access-date=31 May 2017|language=en-GB|archive-date=29 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729051653/http://uk.reuters.com/article/pirelli-idUKLF59813520091026|url-status=dead}}</ref> Fondazione Pirelli was established in the same year to safeguard and celebrate the company's past and to promote business culture as an integral part of Italy's national cultural assets. In March 2015, it was announced that Pirelli shareholders had accepted a €7.1 billion bid from ChemChina, together with Camfin and LTI, for the company.<ref name="Guardian">{{cite news |title=ChemChina makes €7.1bn bid for Pirelli |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/mar/23/chemchina-makes-71bn-bid-for-italy-pirelli-tyre-maker |access-date=23 March 2015 |work=The Guardian |agency=Reuters |date=23 March 2015 |archive-date=25 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325005006/http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/mar/23/chemchina-makes-71bn-bid-for-italy-pirelli-tyre-maker |url-status=live }}</ref> The transaction was completed and the company was delisted in November 2015.<ref name="Delisting">{{cite web| url=https://www.pirelli.com/corporate/en/investors/share_info/default.html| title=PIRELLI Shares – Information for Shareholders| date=November 2015| publisher=Pirelli| access-date=6 December 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208131643/https://www.pirelli.com/corporate/en/investors/share_info/default.html| archive-date=8 December 2015| url-status=dead}}</ref> In May 2017, it was announced that Pirelli returns to the world of cycling with a new road cycling tyre range, P ZERO Velo.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cyclist.co.uk/news/2795/pirelli-returns-to-cycling-with-new-road-tyres|title=Pirelli returns to cycling with new road tyres|work=[[Cyclist (magazine)|Cyclist]]|access-date=31 May 2017|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170616102623/http://www.cyclist.co.uk/news/2795/pirelli-returns-to-cycling-with-new-road-tyres|archive-date=16 June 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> In September 2017, the company announced its intentions to sell up to 40 per cent of its equity capital in an initial public offering as it plans to return to the Milan stock exchange in October.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pirelli-ipo/tiremaker-pirelli-to-offer-40-percent-of-share-capital-in-upcoming-ipo-idUSKCN1BF0JP|title=Tyremaker Pirelli to sell 40 percent stake in Milan market comeback|date=4 September 2017|work=Reuters|access-date=7 September 2017|archive-date=11 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220911123225/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pirelli-ipo/tiremaker-pirelli-to-offer-40-percent-of-share-capital-in-upcoming-ipo-idUSKCN1BF0JP|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2019 Pirelli announced a new range of mountain biking tyres, called Scorpion. In 2021, Pirelli introduced 18-inch tyres for the new aerodynamic and technical changes for 2022 in [[Formula One]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=16 August 2021|title=New era in Formula 1: Pirelli introduced 18-inch tires for 2022 cars|url=https://sport-journal.com/new-era-in-formula-1-pirelli-introduced-18-inch-tires-for-2022-cars/|access-date=16 August 2021|website=Sport-Journal.com|language=en|archive-date=16 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816205445/https://sport-journal.com/new-era-in-formula-1-pirelli-introduced-18-inch-tires-for-2022-cars/|url-status=dead}}</ref> As of May 2024, Pirelli has a market capitalisation of $6.69 billion. On May 29, 2024 [[Silk Road Fund]] began the total sale of its shareholding.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pirelli: Silk Road avvia cessione 9% capitale, prezzo a sconto 8% su Borsa |url=https://www.ilsole24ore.com/radiocor/nRC_29.05.2024_18.59_63610636 |access-date=29 May 2024 |agency=ilsole24ore.com |publisher=ilsole24ore.com |date=29 May 2024}}</ref>
On May 30, 2024, the share price fell as a result of the sale of the entire stake of Silk Road Fund. While Tronchetti Provera's Camfin strengthened its shareholding together with other Italian investors.<ref>{{cite news |title=Camfin alza la difesa in Pirelli, ma i cinesi interpellano la Consob. Che cosa accade |url=https://www.milanofinanza.it/news/camfin-alza-la-difesa-in-pirelli-ma-i-cinesi-interpellano-la-consob-202405302154503225?refresh_cens |access-date=30 May 2024 |agency=milanofinanza.it |publisher=milanofinanza.it |date=30 May 2024}}</ref>

== Business areas ==
*Pirelli is focused on the consumer business, producing tyres for cars, motorcycles, and bicycles.

=== Car products range ===
*P ZERO: Tyres for ultra-high performance cars. P ZERO branding is used for dry weather Formula One tyres, along with other racing tyres.
*[[Pirelli Cinturato|Cinturato]]: Tyres for high-end cars. Cinturato branding is used for wet-weather Formula One tyres.
*Sottozero: Winter tyres for high-end cars. Sottozero branding is used for WRC tyres.
*Carrier: Tyres for vans.
*Ice: Tyres designed for extremely low temperatures.
*Scorpion: Tyres for SUV and cross-over.

=== Moto products range ===
*Diablo: Road and track tyres.
*Angel: Street and commuting tyres.
*Scorpion: Road and off-road tyres.

=== Velo products range ===
*P ZERO Velo: Road racing.
*Cycl-e: Urban and electric.
*Scorpion: Mountain bike.
*Cinturato: Gravel.

==Corporate affairs==

===Major shareholders===
Pirelli shareholders as of January 2025:<ref name="AR2022"/>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Shareholder
! Stake %
|-
| Marco Polo International Italy (an intermediate holding company for [[Sinochem]])
|37.0%
|-
|Institutional Investors
|31.6%
|-
|Camfin S.p.A.
|26.4%
|-
|Retail
|5.0%
|}

===Board of directors===
The list of Pirelli Board of Directors:<ref name="AR2022"/>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Position
! Name
|-
| Chairman
| [[Li Fanrong]]
|-
| Executive Vice Chairman and CEO
| [[Marco Tronchetti Provera]]
|-
| Deputy-CEO
| Giorgio Luca Bruno
|-
| Director
| Yang Shihao 
|-
|Director
|Wang Feng
|-
|-
|Independent Director 
|Paola Boromei
|-
|Independent Director
|Domenico De Sole
|-
|Independent Director
|Roberto Diacetti
|-
|Independent Director
|Fan Xiaohua
|-
|Independent Director
|Giovanni Lo Storto
|-
|Independent Director
|Marisa Pappalardo
|-
|Independent Director
| Tao Haisu
|-
|Director 
|Giovanni Tronchetti Provera
|-
|Independent Director
| Wei Yintao
|-
|Director
| Zhang Haitao
|}

==Marketing==
The [[Pirelli Calendar]] is published annually, featuring actresses and fashion models. The calendar also features the work of fashion photographers, including [[Richard Avedon]], [[Peter Lindbergh]], [[Annie Leibovitz]], and [[Patrick Demarchelier]]. The [[Pirelli Internetional Award|Pirelli ''Internet''ional Award]] is given annually for the best international multimedia involving the communication of science and technology conducted entirely on the Internet. "Power is nothing without control" was the well-known slogan of Pirelli Tyre Company, and was featured in numerous television and print advertisements.<ref>{{cite web |title=Power is nothing without control celebrates 25 years {{!}} Pirelli |url=https://www.pirelli.com/global/en-ww/life/power-is-nothing-without-control-celebrates-25-years |website=www.pirelli.com |access-date=16 March 2020 |date=15 May 2019 |archive-date=15 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515164022/https://www.pirelli.com/global/en-ww/life/power-is-nothing-without-control-celebrates-25-years |url-status=live }}</ref> Pirelli is the long-serving main sponsor of Italian football club [[Inter Milan]], having sponsored the Italian team since the [[1995–96 Inter Milan season|1995–96 season]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.inter.it/en/news/51761|title=Inter and Pirelli extend historic partnership|publisher=inter.it|date=14 March 2016|access-date=12 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513081257/https://www.inter.it/en/news/51761|archive-date=13 May 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Sponsorship==

===Football===
Pirelli has a history of sponsoring football teams. Pirelli is well known for its long-term primary sponsorship of the Italian football club [[Inter Milan]] between 1995 and 2021. Pirelli previously appeared as a sponsor on the shirts of the Maltese football club [[Valletta F.C.|Valletta]] for a short time. In reference to Brazil striker [[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]]’s usual [[goal celebration]] of both arms outstretched, Pirelli ran a 1998 commercial in which he replaced the figure of Christ from the [[Christ the Redeemer (statue)|''Christ the Redeemer'']] statue that towers over his home city of [[Rio de Janeiro]] while in an Inter Milan strip.<ref>{{cite news |first=Gianluigi|last=Colin |title=Pirelli e le metamorfosi della pubblicità|language=it|url=https://www.corriere.it/cultura/17_giugno_21/pubblicita-con-la-maiuscola-fondazione-pirelli-corraini-5efebe1c-569c-11e7-a35b-7a875278503a.shtml |date=21 June 2017|access-date=19 September 2018 |work=Corriere Della Sera |archive-date=19 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919171612/https://www.corriere.it/cultura/17_giugno_21/pubblicita-con-la-maiuscola-fondazione-pirelli-corraini-5efebe1c-569c-11e7-a35b-7a875278503a.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> It was controversial with the Catholic Church.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Squires|first=Nick|date=9 June 2014|title=World Cup 2014: Brazil furious over Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro in Italian football colours|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/brazil/10886269/World-Cup-2014-Brazil-furious-over-Christ-the-Redeemer-statue-in-Rio-de-Janeiro-in-Italian-football-colours.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906154918/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/brazil/10886269/World-Cup-2014-Brazil-furious-over-Christ-the-Redeemer-statue-in-Rio-de-Janeiro-in-Italian-football-colours.html|archive-date=6 September 2019|access-date=20 October 2020|website=Telegraph}}</ref>

Pirelli's sponsorship of football teams is not limited to Europe, South America is a key market and as a result, successful clubs have also been sponsored by the tyre company. The [[Brazil]]ian team [[Palmeiras]], [[Uruguay]]an team [[Peñarol]] and [[Argentina|Argentinian]] side [[Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield|Vélez Sársfield]] all had Pirelli as a shirt sponsor. When English football club [[Burton Albion F.C.|Burton Albion Football Club]] built their new stadium in 2005, Pirelli became the title sponsor of the new ground. This was because the new stadium, named [[Pirelli Stadium]] lies next to the Pirelli factory in [[Burton-upon-Trent]], [[Staffordshire]], England. In 2009, Pirelli became the title sponsor of the [[Chinese Super League]] (CSL), China's top-tier football league. In 2012, the company became a major sponsor of the [[Russian Cup (football)|Russian Cup]].

===Motorsport===
Pirelli is the event title sponsor of the [[Spanish Grand Prix|Spanish]] and [[Hungarian Grand Prix|Hungarian]] Grands Prix and sponsored the [[2018 French Grand Prix]]. The company was the title sponsor of the [[Pirelli World Challenge]] from 2011 to 2018. Pirelli supported rally with their [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|FIA]] [[Pirelli Star Driver]] program as an initiative to support young rally drivers.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/130841/fia-planning-major-revamp-of-wrc-ladder|title=FIA plans major revamp of World Rally Championship ladder by 2019|magazine=Autosport|first=David|last=Evans|access-date=10 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515152807/https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/130841/fia-planning-major-revamp-of-wrc-ladder|archive-date=15 May 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was the sole supplier in the top tier of [[World Rally Championship]] in 2008–2010, and is now a co-supplier with [[Michelin]]. Since its first involvement in WRC in 1973, the manufacturer won 181 events, and produced 25 WRC Driver Champions including [[Colin McRae]] (1995), [[Petter Solberg]] (2003), [[Sébastien Loeb|Sebastien Loeb]] (2008–2010).<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaLH_5CAY64|title=WRC History: PIRELLI in the WRC|via=www.youtube.com|access-date=8 October 2020|archive-date=14 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414044159/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaLH_5CAY64&list=PLODyu6T9_emwGh_6Ycg6XZSfbMyExyc_c&index=42&pp=iAQB|url-status=live}}</ref> Pirelli would again become the sole tyre supplier in all three tiers in [[2021 World Rally Championship#Changes|2021]].<ref name=":1" /> Pirelli has also been a sponsor of rally and the late gymkhana driver [[Ken Block]]'s [[Hoonigan Racing Division]] since 2010.

=== America's Cup ===
Pirelli was sponsor of [[Team New Zealand|Emirates Team New Zealand]] in the 35th [[America's Cup]] (2017).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/pirelli-boards-team-new-zealand|title=Pirelli boards Team New Zealand|access-date=31 May 2017|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170522235653/http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/pirelli-boards-team-new-zealand|archive-date=22 May 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Winter Sports ===
Pirelli sponsored [[FIS Alpine World Ski Championships|Alpine World Ski Championship]] and [[Ice Hockey World Championships|Ice Hockey World Championship]] [[International Ice Hockey Federation|IIHF]] from 2017 to 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fis-ski.com/news-multimedia/news/article=pirelli-and-infront-seal-five-year-sponsorship-agreement-across-flagship-winter-sports-events.html|title=Pirelli and Infront seal five year sponsorship agreement across flagship winter sports events – FIS-SKI|website=FIS-SKI|language=en|access-date=31 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171030215506/http://www.fis-ski.com/news-multimedia/news/article=pirelli-and-infront-seal-five-year-sponsorship-agreement-across-flagship-winter-sports-events.html|archive-date=30 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The company is also sponsor of the Italian Ski Team and of the Swiss Ski Team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://business.pirelli.com/global/en-ww/pirelli-sponsors-alpine-world-ski-championship-and-ice-hockey|title=Pirelli sponsors Alpine World Ski Championship and ice hockey from 2017 to 2021|website=business.pirelli.com|access-date=31 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614230543/http://business.pirelli.com/global/en-ww/pirelli-sponsors-alpine-world-ski-championship-and-ice-hockey|archive-date=14 June 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Baseball===
Pirelli also was a sponsor of the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] of [[Major League Baseball]] from 2014 to 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title=Take me out to the Ballgame|url=https://www.pirelli.com/global/en-ww/life/take-me-out-to-the-ballgame|publisher=Pirelli & C. S.p.A.|access-date=13 July 2022|archive-date=13 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713194639/https://www.pirelli.com/global/en-ww/life/take-me-out-to-the-ballgame|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Pirelli Extends Relationship With Los Angeles Dodgers As Team Partner|url=https://www.aftermarketnews.com/pirelli-extends-relationship-los-angeles-dodgers-team-partner/|work=AftermarketNews|publisher=Babcox Media|date=26 June 2017|access-date=13 July 2022|archive-date=12 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812094342/https://www.aftermarketnews.com/pirelli-extends-relationship-los-angeles-dodgers-team-partner/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Motorsport==

Pirelli was the official tyre partner and supplier of the [[World Rally Championship]] from [[2008 World Rally Championship season|2008]] to [[2010 World Rally Championship season|2010]] until the company withdrew to focus on its Formula One commitments. Pirelli returned to the championship in [[2014 World Rally Championship season|2014]], albeit only partnering tyres for a few private teams as [[Michelin]] was the major tyre partner and supplier. Pirelli stepped up their involvement in the championship when they signed a deal to supply tyres to all [[Junior World Rally Championship|Junior WRC]] participants, with its champions receiving a [[Ford Fiesta R5]] with free tyres, fuel and free rally registration package for the next season's [[World Rally Championship-2]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pirelli to return to World Rally Championship from 2018 |url=https://racingspot.pirelli.com/global/en-ww/race/pirelli-to-return-to-world-rally-championship-from-2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930180210/https://racingspot.pirelli.com/global/en-ww/race/pirelli-to-return-to-world-rally-championship-from-2018 |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 September 2019 |access-date=30 May 2022 |website=racingspot.pirelli.com }}</ref> Pirelli subsequently returned full time to the WRC since 2021 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pirelli wins WRC tyre tender |url=https://www.wrc.com/en/news/news-archive/wrc/pirelli-wins-wrc-tyre-tender/ |access-date=30 May 2022 |website=WRC – World Rally Championship |language=en |archive-date=30 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530130443/https://www.wrc.com/en/news/news-archive/wrc/pirelli-wins-wrc-tyre-tender/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Pirelli was also partnered [[Grand-Am]] [[Rolex Sports Car Series]] from 2008 until 2010 before being replaced by [[Continental AG]] in 2011. The company has been the official supplier of the [[GT World Challenge America]] since 2011 and the [[GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup]] since 2013.

=== Formula One ===
Pirelli has been the sole tyre supplier in Formula One since 2011 following [[Bridgestone]]'s decision to withdraw from the role at the end of [[2010 Formula One World Championship|2010]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=4 November 2009|title=Bridgestone Corporation {{!}} News Release|url=http://bridgestone.com/corporate/news/2009110201.html|access-date=16 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091104223536/http://bridgestone.com/corporate/news/2009110201.html|archive-date=4 November 2009}}</ref> Pirelli previously competed in Formula One from [[1950 Formula One season|1950]]–[[1958 Formula One season|1958]], [[1981 Formula One World Championship|1981]]–[[1986 Formula One World Championship|1986]] and [[1989 Formula One World Championship|1989]]–[[1991 Formula One World Championship|1991]]. Pirelli also supplies tyres for the [[FIA Formula 2 Championship]] (formerly [[GP2 Series]]), [[FIA Formula 3 Championship]] (formerly GP3 Series) and [[F1 Academy]], that form the feeder series to Formula One.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Formula 1 |date=18 November 2022 |title=Formula 1 announces F1 Academy, a new all-female driver series for 2023 |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.formula-1-announces-f1-academy-a-new-all-female-driver-series-for-2023.6EAcJceyDTqjKkMcPMwk9e.html |access-date=8 February 2023 |website=Formula 1 |language=en |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201181805/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.formula-1-announces-f1-academy-a-new-all-female-driver-series-for-2023.6EAcJceyDTqjKkMcPMwk9e.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Pirelli's deal is due to end after the 2027 Formula One World Championship.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jogia |first=Saajan |date=2023-10-08 |title=F1 News: Pirelli's New Contract With Formula One To Be Its Last One |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/racing/f1briefings/news/f1-news-pirellis-new-contract-with-f1-to-be-its-last-one-sj4 |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=F1 Briefings: Formula 1 News, Rumors, Standings and More |language=en}}</ref>

The Italian tyre manufacturer introduced a colour coding system to help identify the tyre compounds used by drivers during races. Each compound has its own colour, which appears on the sidewalls of the tyre. Since the 2019 season, Pirelli has used three colours to identify its dry-weather P Zero tyres: white for hard, yellow for medium, and red for soft. As well as the dry-weather slick tyres, there are two wet-weather grooved tyres: green for the intermediate and blue for the full wet. These tyres are branded Cinturato, a name that dates back to the 1950s. At the start of Pirelli's Formula One tenure in 2011, the company was given the technically challenging task of designing tyres that degraded rapidly in order to promote more pit stops and overtaking,<ref>{{Cite web|date=25 March 2011|title=F1 2011: What's new on the grand prix grid this season|url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/mar/25/f1-2011-grid-formula-one|access-date=16 November 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=16 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116124335/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/mar/25/f1-2011-grid-formula-one|url-status=live}}</ref> with the aim of making the races more exciting and entertaining. However, the brief from the sport's organisers has changed over the years, as the cars themselves evolved with the introduction of the turbo hybrid era in 2014.

Pirelli has faced controversy on a number of occasions in Formula One, especially during the 2013 British Grand Prix, which featured multiple tyre failures. Pirelli subsequently changed the construction of the tyres to prevent further incidents, switching to Kevlar belts.<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 September 2017|title=Kevlar belt tyres for Germany, new tyres for Hungary · F1 Fanatic|url=http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2013/07/02/pirelli-to-use-prototype-tyres-for-german-grand-prix/|access-date=16 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924140430/http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2013/07/02/pirelli-to-use-prototype-tyres-for-german-grand-prix/|archive-date=24 September 2017}}</ref> At the 2015 Belgian Grand Prix, a tyre on Sebastian Vettel's Ferrari suffered from a blowout at {{cvt|200|mph|km/h|order=flip}}. Immediately after the race Pirelli claimed that excessive wear caused the blowout but following a more detailed analysis, the company said that in fact, a cut had caused the tyre failure.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pirelli reveals F1 tyre investigation findings from Belgian GP|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/pirelli-reveals-f1-tyre-investigation-findings-from-belgian-gp-5001790/5001790/|access-date=16 November 2021|website=www.autosport.com|language=en|archive-date=16 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116125357/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/pirelli-reveals-f1-tyre-investigation-findings-from-belgian-gp-5001790/5001790/|url-status=live}}</ref> A number of major changes to the Formula One tyres were introduced for the 2017 season. The most obvious visual difference was an increase of width by 25%, both front and rear, increasing from 245-mm to 305-mm at the front and 325-mm to 405-mm at the rear. The actual rim size remained unchanged from the traditional 13 inches. The faster cornering speeds as a result of this change imposed significantly increased loads on the tyres. Pirelli was consequently asked to produce tyres with less degradation that were more resistant to overheating, for the fastest cars in Formula One history.<ref>{{Cite web|date=15 July 2016|title=F1 to scrap high degradation tyres in 2017 – Pirelli · RaceFans|url=https://www.racefans.net/2016/07/15/f1-to-scrap-high-degradation-tyres-in-2017-pirelli/|access-date=16 November 2021|website=RaceFans|language=en-GB|archive-date=16 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116124335/https://www.racefans.net/2016/07/15/f1-to-scrap-high-degradation-tyres-in-2017-pirelli/|url-status=live}}</ref>

A far-reaching alteration to the Formula One technical regulations for 2022, covering every aspect of the car, prompted another significant change to the tyres. With an imminent move to 18-inch rims after more than 50 years of the 13-inch size,<ref>{{Cite web|date=6 April 2021|title=Pirelli's race to develop 18-inch F1 tyres for 2022|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/pirellis-race-to-develop-18-inch-f1-tyres-for-2022|access-date=16 November 2021|website=Motor Sport Magazine|language=en-GB|archive-date=16 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116143502/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/pirellis-race-to-develop-18-inch-f1-tyres-for-2022|url-status=live}}</ref> Pirelli's 2022 tyres maintain the same tread width as before, but diameter has increased from 660 millimetres to 720 millimetres. The sidewall height is also reduced to give the tyres a more modern low-profile look.

===Superbike World Championship===

Pirelli is the only allowed tyre brand in the [[Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme|FIM]] [[Superbike World Championship]] since 2007 (along with its support classes, such as the [[Supersport World Championship]]). Pirelli has also been awarded the contract for the control tyre supply in the [[British Superbike Championship]] from 2008 until at least 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishsuperbike.com/html/newsarticle.php?id=1203 |title=British Superbikes 2007 |website=britishsuperbike.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080320074840/http://www.britishsuperbike.com/html/newsarticle.php?id=1203 |archive-date=20 March 2008 }}</ref>

===Grand Prix motorcycle racing===

Pirelli officially replaces [[Dunlop Tyres|Dunlop]] as the sole tyre supplier for Moto3 and Moto2 starting in [[2024 Moto2 World Championship|2024]]. This was announced by [[Dorna Sports]] via the official [[Grand Prix motorcycle racing|MotoGP]] website. The Pirelli and Dorna contract has a duration of three seasons.

Starting from 2027 to 2031 seasons Pirelli will be official sole tyre partner and supplier to [[MotoGP]] premier class replacing [[Michelin]] after eleven seasons.

=== Speedboats ===
Pirelli has partnered with Italian Boat Manufacture Sacs Tecnorib Spa to create the Pirelli [[Rigid inflatable boat|Rigid inflatable Boat]]. They have models ranging from 30 to 50 feet, including small tenders (X and J Models).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pirelli Speedboats Website |url=https://pirellispeedboats.com/en/ |website=Pirelli Speedboats}}</ref>

Their most recent and popular collaboration has been with German Luxury Car Tuner [[Mansory]]. The new collaboration has been showcased to the public at the 2024 [[Cannes Boat Show]] and 2024 [[Genoa Boat Show]].

==Overseas investment==
In April 2012, Pirelli & C. SpA signed a joint venture agreement with Indonesian counterpart PT Astra Autoparts a subsidiary of PT [[Astra International]] for the construction of a motorcycle tyre plant with a total investment of $120 million. 60 per cent of shares will be held by Pirelli. Pirelli hoped to strengthen its presence in the largest motorcycle market in the world, [[Southeast Asia]] which has 250 million motorcycles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/04/25/indonesia-welcomes-pirelli-italian-touch-local-shoes.html |title=Indonesia welcomes Pirelli, Italian touch for local shoes |date=25 April 2012 |access-date=25 April 2012 |archive-date=3 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503095954/http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/04/25/indonesia-welcomes-pirelli-italian-touch-local-shoes.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Audio system==
In July 2018, Pirelli launched a Formula One wheel-shaped Bluetooth speaker, P Zero Sound.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bruce |first1=Chris |title=Pirelli Design Launches Bluetooth Speaker That Looks Like F1 Wheel |url=https://www.motor1.com/news/258609/pirelli-design-tire-bluetooth-speaker/ |website=Motor1.com |access-date=16 March 2020 |language=en |date=25 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725211919/https://www.motor1.com/news/258609/pirelli-design-tire-bluetooth-speaker/ |archive-date=25 July 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Bluetooth speaker measures {{convert|12.9|in|mm|adj=on|order=flip}} in diameter, weighs {{convert|21|lb|kg|abbr=in|order=flip}} and has a 100-watt amplifier, a {{convert|100|mm|adj=on}} mid-woofer, a {{convert|25|mm|adj=on}} tweeter and also offers Bluetooth 4.0 with AptX for wireless connectivity. IXOOST<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ixoost.it/|title=IXOOST official site|access-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727234012/https://www.ixoost.it/|archive-date=27 July 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> is the manufacturer of P Zero Sound speaker, which majorly manufactures Motorsports-themed audio systems. The wheel-shaped speaker costs €2400, which is equivalent to about $2,800.

==See also==
{{Portal|Italy|Companies}}
* [[List of Italian companies]]
* [[Formula One tyres]]
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{Official website}}
*[http://www.pirellityre.com PirelliTyre.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120073550/http://www.pirellityre.com/ |date=20 November 2008 }} Pirelli Tyres Worldwide
*[http://biz.yahoo.com/ic/41/41369.html Yahoo!] Pirelli & C. S.p.A. Company Profile

{{Automotive industry in Italy}}
{{Italian cycle manufacturers}}
{{Pirelli & C. SpA}}
{{Rubber}}
{{FTSE MIB companies}}
{{Authority control}}

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