A Burton tyre giant has added a splash of colour as it sponsored a major event for the third year running.
Pirelli returned to Salon Prive, in Oxfordshire, with its newly launched colour edition tyres with markings similar to those seen on Formula 1 tyres. The firm, which has premises in Derby Road, in the town, employs 36,000 people worldwide.
For the first time, Pirelli also brought a dedicated hospitality and activation area featuring the Cafe Milano. Salon Privé guests were able to get up close and personal with the tyres while indulging in espresso and gelato during the event at Blenheim Palace.
Pirelli Color Edition was launched at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year and has been developed to satisfy the increasing demand for personalisation from prestige and premium clients.
The base colours are red, yellow, white and silver but there are thousands of colour options available.
Directly outside the Pirelli stand were three iconic Pirelli-equipped cars from various decades, starting with the Porsche 356 that ex-Formula 1 driver John Watson drove in this year's Mille Miglia, as well as a Jaguar XJ220 for which Pirelli has released bespoke new tyres, and a Lamborghini Aventador complete with silver P Zero Color Edition rubber.
Watson, the winner of five grands prix with Penske and McLaren, was one of Pirelli's guests at the event, sharing his memories of Formula 1.
He said: "When I took part in the Mille Miglia, it was actually the first time that I'd competed for about 30 years. And within just a few minutes, it was like I'd never been away. One of the main reasons why I felt so confident in the car was the new Pirelli Cinturato tyres on it - I was absolutely astonished by the amount of grip that they offered; they just never seemed to run out of it.
"So, of course, I ended up overtaking lots of cars – and in my Formula 1 career, overtaking was one of the things that I enjoyed most."
Now in its 12th year, the Salon Privé is a garden party presenting the finest collection of supercars, hypercars and classic cars from premium and prestige manufacturers such as Lamborghini and Porsche, many of which feature Pirelli as original equipment.
