150 years of Pirelli - looking back on the tyre company's Formula 1 involvement

• Pirelli celebrated its 150th birthday on 28 January 2022.

• In 1950, Pirelli was one of the first tyre suppliers to the Formula 1 championship.

• Pirelli has been F1's sole tyre supplier since 2011.

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This past weekend, on 28 January, Pirelli celebrated 150 years of existence. This is no mean feat, given that so many companies come and go. Yet, Pirelli withstood the test of time to become one of the world's greatest tyre manufacturers. Not only does Pirelli produce rubber for road cars, but it also has a very rich history in motorsport, including Formula 1.

Founded by Giovanni Battista Pirelli in 1872 in Milan, Italy, the company's initial goal was to provide rubber, with the production of scuba diving rebreathers following soon after. It wasn't long before Pirelli then began producing tyres. 78 years after its inception, Pirelli would come on board as a tyre supplier to F1. Along with Dunlop and Englebert, Pirelli was involved with F1 since the very first race - the 1950 British Grand Prix. Firestone joined the sport later that season.

As is customary in motorsport, Pirelli (and the other tyre suppliers) would end its F1 involvement. The first run would last for nine seasons (1950-58), with the second going from 1981-86. Pirelli made a brief return to F1 from 1989 to 1991 before going on a hiatus until 2011. The current run is Pirelli's longest in F1, and it has been the sole tyre supplier for the last 11 seasons. 2022 would be Pirelli's 12th consecutive in F1.

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Tanti auguri @Pirelli ??Wishing you well on this amazing milestone ??@pirellisport @Carlossainz55 pic.twitter.com/lInwDzPxwD

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