Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed Pirelli will remain as Formula One's sole tyre supplier until 2019.
Pirelli and Michelin were both approved by the FIA following the latest tyre tender to be the supplier for three years from 2017, with Ecclestone then having to agree commercial terms with one of the manufacturers. Ahead of the Russian Grand Prix, Ecclestone confirmed Pirelli has retained its contract having been the supplier since 2011.
Pirelli motorsport boss Paul Hembery told F1i on the Sochi grid he had been informed of the decision on Saturday, with the Italian manufacturer receiving assurances it will be allowed to test ahead of planned new regulations in 2017. Hembery had previously threatened Pirelli could quit F1 if it could not test sufficiently.
The 2017 regulations are set to see wider tyres as the sport seeks to increase mechanical grip and increase lap times by up to five seconds with more aggressive cars.
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