The Italian Pirelli tyre company is refusing to be counted out of the race for the F1 tyre supply contract, saying in a statement on Thursday that they will present an offer to the team before the Spanish Grand Prix next weekend.
Earlier today it was confirmed that the Formula One Teams Association had whittled their candidates to succeed Bridgestone down to Michelin or Cooper Avon, after both expressed an interest in becoming the new F1 tyre company when Bridgestone's current contract elapses at the end of this season.
That seemed to count Pirelli, who had cautiously expressed an interest earlier this month, out of the picture. But the company has confirmed that it will offer a deal, with conditions, to FOTA.
"Pirelli announces that it will present...an offer for the supply of tyres to all the teams in the F1 championship," the Pirelli statement read, "The presentation of the offer will take place before the next Formula One Grand Prix in Spain on May 9."
Pirelli last raced in Formula One back in 1991, but is still active in other forms of motorsport, particularly rallying.
A spokeswoman for the company confirmed that the offer would be for the 2011 season onwards, but refused to go into detail over the exact nature of the package they would present.
Earlier in April, the Pirelli chairman Marco Tronchetti Provera had been quoted as saying that the company would be interested in F1, though certain conditions would have to be met in order to secure any deal.
Those conditions are believed to include a move to a 18 inch wheel rim, something also preferred by Michelin, as well as financial support from the teams themselves.
The F1 teams are eager to conclude a 2011 tyre deal as soon as possible, with Bridgestone's withdrawal leaving their early design efforts for next season's cars up in the air.
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