Inside Pirelli and McLaren’s Sustainable Supercar Tyres

More than 25 litres of oil is used to make a single tyre, according to research from the University of Queensland.

Pirelli and McLaren are looking to change this with a new range of tyres made from more than 50% bio-based and recycled materials which are certified by Bureau Veritas in line with ISO 14021. 

The P Zero R, P Zero Torofeo RS and P Zero Winter 2 have been developed by Pirelli specially for the McLaren W1 supercar. 

These tyres are able to support the high performance needed for a supercar while reducing reliance on unsustainable materials. 

How sustainable tyres are made

Pirelli says that its bespoke P Zero tyres are the first supercar tyres made with more than 50% bio-based and recycled materials.

The bio-based materials used include natural rubber, biochemicals and bio-resins and the recycled materials Pirelli uses include metal reinforcements, rubber recovered from end-of-life tyres, synthetic rubber, silica and carbon black.

Initially, the tyres were tested in a virtual environment supported by state-of-the-art driving simulation technology.

These tests were then progressed to tracks, including the Nardò circuit in southern Italy, Idiada track in Spain and Pirelli’s Sottozero Centre in Sweden, to assess performance in a range of weather and surface conditions. 

These tracks also allowed for testing with the high performance of the W1, a flagship supercar featuring a hybrid powertrain, maximum speed electronically limited to 350 kilometres per hour and up to 1,000kg of downforce.

Bio-based, recycled and FSC-certified tyres

By 2030, Pirelli is aiming to launch the first tyres containing 80% bio-based and recycled materials.

It launched the P Zero E in 2023 which is the first high-performance tyre on the market to contain more than 55% of these materials and feature a triple A certification on the European tyre label. 

This tyre also introduced the logo that Pirelli uses to identify its products containing at least 50% sustainable materials. 

In 2021, Pirelli launched the first tyre ever with FSC-certified natural rubber.

All cars on track in Formula 1 are using FSC-approved Pirelli tyres to ensure compliance with strict forest sustainability standards.

By 2040, Pirelli aims to reach 100% bio-based and recycled materials in its best product available on the market. 

Pirelli achieved a 57% reduction in CO₂ Scope 1 and 2 emissions in 2024 compared to its 2018 baseline and aims to reach net zero across all three Scopes by 2040.

Pirelli’s Sustainability Journey Program

The Sustainability Journey Program is Pirelli’s initiative to involve points of sale in the company’s ESG strategy, bringing its values directly to consumers through the dealer network. 

It includes support and training from Pirelli and allows the point of sale to obtain certification validated by TÜV SÜD.

Alongside Pirelli’s certification, the programme also looks to support points of sale to undertake ISO 14001 and 45001 certifications. 

Matteo Battaini, Pirelli’s Chief Sustainability and Future Mobility Officer, says: “In a context in which sustainability, health and safety issues are of increasingly strategic importance, Pirelli offers its partners a concrete and cutting-edge response that combines operational excellence, attention to people and environmental protection.”

“Pirelli is the first company to undertake this type of journey on the market and with this initiative wants to provide concrete support to its partners as they face the challenges of the future, together building an increasingly responsible way of working and in line with growing consumer demands.”