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.

• For more motoring stories, visit Wheels24

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.

The statistics

Throughout its entire history in F1, Pirelli has participated in a total of 417 Grands Prix, with 212 drivers having taken to the track with the Italian company's rubber fitted to their cars. Of the total number of races the supplier participated in, it has won 258 races - giving it a success rate of 61.9%. Of the 258 wins, Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-AMG) has taken 89 of them.

When Pirelli rejoined F1 in 2011, the supplier wanted both teams and drivers to be involved with the tyre construction. Ironically, while the aim of this intended involvement was good, the tyre construction could never please everyone. Sometimes the tyre structure was too hard, allowing for one pit stop races, while other times, it would be too soft - irking the very drivers who asked for it.

Still, Pirelli stuck to its guns and continued with its role as F1's sole tyre supplier. In recent years, Pirelli did consider withdrawing from the sport but opted against it. And with the new regulations coming into effect this year, Pirelli's involvement will be decisive as the sport looks to settle into its new normal as 18-inch tyres will replace the 13-inch units.

Which F1 memory involving Pirelli tyres is your favourite? Email us your thoughts or use the comment section below.