Pirelli has begun development of its tires for the 2021 World Rally Championship. The tire maker was recently selected as the sole supplier to the series for the next season until 2024.
The first tire to form part of Pirelli’s latest WRC range is the Sweden-specification studded Sottozero Ice J1 tire in size 205/65 R15, which was launched at the 2020 GP Ice Race in Austria.
The ‘Sweden’ Sottozero Ice is said to make full use of Pirelli’s proprietary technologies. For example, the studs are incorporated into the tire during the vulcanization process, rather than being inserted afterward. This technology is used only by Pirelli and favors stud retention, which helps to maximize performance in competition.
Terenzio Testoni, Pirelli’s head of rally and off-road activities, commented, “The icy track provides a spectacular arena for cars from different eras to compete against each other, with Pirelli tires designed specifically for these conditions helping to make the action even more thrilling.”
