Mario Isola Steps Down as Pirelli Motorsport Director
Pirelli's long-serving motorsport director Mario Isola is leaving the company, with internal engineer Dario Marrafuschi set to take over. Isola, the familiar face of F1's tire supplier since 2017, will assist the transition until July before reportedly becoming CEO of Italy's ACI Sport.
Mario Isola, the public face of Pirelli in Formula 1 for nearly a decade, is leaving his role as the company's motorsport director. He will be succeeded by long-time Pirelli engineer Dario Marrafuschi, with Isola providing support until July 1st to ensure a smooth transition before pursuing a new career chapter, reportedly as CEO of Italy's ACI Sport.
Why it matters:
Isola has been the central figure managing Pirelli's complex and often controversial F1 tire supply contract since 2017. His departure marks the end of a significant era for the sole tire supplier, as he guided the company through major technical regulation changes, intense strategic debates with teams, and the constant pressure of delivering performance and safety. Leadership continuity is critical as Pirelli prepares for the next generation of F1 cars in 2026.
The details:
- Leadership Timeline: The official handover takes effect on March 1st, with Dario Marrafuschi assuming the role of head of Pirelli’s motorsport business unit. Isola will remain in a support capacity until July 1st before formally leaving the company.
- The Successor: Dario Marrafuschi is an internal promotion, having joined Pirelli in 2008. His background includes key roles in F1 tire research and development as well as leading road tire development, providing a strong technical foundation for the position.
- Reporting Structure: Marrafuschi will report directly to Giovanni Tronchetti Provera, Pirelli’s executive vice president for sustainability, new mobility, and motorsport.
- A Decade of Influence: Isola first became Pirelli's F1 program manager in 2017, succeeding Paul Hembery, before being promoted to overall motorsports director in 2021, overseeing all of the company's racing activities.
What's next:
The immediate focus is on a seamless transition to maintain stability for Pirelli's F1 operations and ongoing tire development programs. Marrafuschi inherits a department built by Isola and will face immediate challenges, including finalizing tire specifications for the upcoming seasons and preparing for the new 2026 technical regulations. Isola's expected move to lead ACI Sport would place him at the helm of Italy's national sporting authority, a major shift from his global F1 role but one that keeps him within the core of Italian motorsport.