The Pirelli logo, used by the tire manufacturer, consists of the brand name in large, bold sans-serif letters. Its main distinguishing feature is the first letter P, whose upper section extends far to the right as a broad horizontal line running almost the full length of the wordmark above the other letters. Its right end is rounded. The remaining letters are wide and geometric, with thick straight strokes. The primary version is red on a yellow background, while the wordmark is also used separately in black or white without a background. The history of the famous “long P” dates back to 1908, when this form of lettering appeared in New York. Over the following decades, the proportions and letterforms of the logo were refined several times, while the basis of its current design took shape after the corporate mark was standardized in the second half of the 20th century.
Pirelli & C. S.p.A. is an Italian tire company founded by Giovanni Battista Pirelli in Milan in 1872. The name comes from the founder’s surname. The company initially manufactured rubber products, and automobile tire production began in 1901. Today, Pirelli specializes in tires for cars, motorcycles and bicycles, with a particular focus on the premium and high-performance segments. The company operates manufacturing facilities in several countries and is present in more than 160 countries worldwide. The brand is also closely associated with motorsport, including its long-standing involvement in Formula 1.
