Pirelli’s ultra-soft tyres will be coloured pink instead of the usual purple this weekend to support breast cancer awareness.
The pink colouring has been chosen to support the work of the Susan G Komen foundation which raises money for breast cancer research. Pirelli say the change of colours is a one-off.
It is one of several initiatives in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month which will take place during the United States Grand Prix. Pink-themed merchandise will be available at the track and fans will be encouraged to share their experiences of those affected by breast cancer using the hashtag ‘#DriveForTheCure’.
Force India, which races in the pink colours of a major sponsor, will continue to display a pink ribbon for Breast Cancer Care this weekend, as it also did in Monaco, Canada and Britain.
pastaman (@)
16th October 2017, 14:56
I wonder how many people at the track will think that Force India painted their cars pink for this weekend for breast cancer awareness.
nase
16th October 2017, 15:10
@pastaman
Who says they didn’t? Maybe they were just playing the long game …
anon
16th October 2017, 22:24
@pastaman, it might cause some confusion, but in some ways it might be a positive thing if people were to think that.
Sundar Srinivas Harish
17th October 2017, 11:02
FI did use the pink livery as an opportunity to raise funds for a breast cancer foundation during the Monaco GP.
altitude2k
16th October 2017, 15:14
Liberty doing so much more for engagement in this short period of time. Good for them.
nase
16th October 2017, 15:24
There’s a German euphemism for something ugly, which can be translated (very crudely) as “beautiful is different”.
Well, I think this tyre looks … different.
Sarcasm aside, remember when Bridgestone started marking the softer compound of grooved tyres with a stripe of pale green in order to raise ecological awareness? Yeah …
The moral of the story is: It could be a lot worse. This time at least, there is no obvious hypocrisy at work.
Ben Needham (@ben-n)
16th October 2017, 15:48
A good cause, however…
Call me heartless, but this is total lunacy. Drivers are not allowed to change helmets during the year for fear of “confusing viewers”, but apparently changing the colour of the tyre compounds is now totally fine. If it means that much to them, could they not replace the Pirelli logo with the relevant “Breast Cancer” logo?
Phylyp (@phylyp)
16th October 2017, 17:43
Very nice point :-) @ben-n
Michael Brown (@)
16th October 2017, 20:44
@ben-n I know. My fragile mind will struggle to identify Alonso since he is not wearing his usual helmet. In addition, drivers can change teams no problem at all.
Whatever. I’m comfortable that I will see my favourite driver, Jolyon Palmer, racing for Renault this weekend.
Euro Brun (@eurobrun)
16th October 2017, 22:00
Surely Pirelli are aloud one race per season where they can change their design :)
NewDust
16th October 2017, 16:04
The cynic in me says this is also a very subtle marketing campaign for the Pirelli color edition tires.
Nikhil Patel (@tiya)
16th October 2017, 16:52
What’s with the outrage. It’s just a one off colour for this GP.
Now, I’d like to see the halo next year permanently pink…
nase
16th October 2017, 17:22
@tiya What outrage?
Jere (@jerejj)
16th October 2017, 17:55
”Look out, everyone. There’s some killer titties on the loose. Could’ve swore I heard them coming through the roof. Pssht! Officer! We need to get an APB out on those titties! They’re armed and dangerous!”
Chris B (@kanundra)
16th October 2017, 18:56
This is a terrible idea and it’s disheartening that COTA or Liberty decided to work with SGK instead of a better rated charity.
Michael Brown (@)
16th October 2017, 20:44
Meh. Unless you paint the whole tire pink, you’re not trying hard enough.
Euro Brun (@eurobrun)
16th October 2017, 22:02
@mbr-9
That I would love to see!
And the Softs could be all white, then we could have Marshmallows.
Sundar Srinivas Harish
17th October 2017, 11:05
Which would turn into s’mores after Grosjean starts complaining about his brakes.
Mallesh Magdum (@malleshmagdum)
17th October 2017, 15:47
Nice opportunity for a photoshoot at the Force India garage!
Tiomkin
18th October 2017, 17:05
To keep things fair to everyone why single out breast cancer? Why not support Cancer Research which will cure ALL cancers in both male, females, children and animals? I’m sure if testicular cancer was being supported there would be complaints.