After 40 years, Pirelli brings back the Cinturato P7

The Porsche Carrera GT isn’t the only supercar to get new specially developed tires recently, Pirelli has just launched new rubber for the iconic Ferrari 288 GTO.

40 years after its launch, the 288 GTO is now available with bespoke Pirelli Cinturato P7 tires. The new rubber retains the original dimensions, measuring 225/50 at the front and 265/50 at the rear, and was launched at the special GTO Legacy Tour Ferrari held earlier this month.

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Pirelli originally launched the Cinturato P7 in 1974 for the World Rally Championship, before launching it as a road tire in 1976. It now joins the Pirelli Collezione range, which also includes modern tires developed specifically for the Ferrari F40, F50, Enzo and LaFerrari.

Ferrari has collaborated with Pirelli on many tires over the decades. After working together to develop the original tires for the 288 GTO, the two companies created a set of bespoke Pirelli P Zeros for the F40. It was the first 17-inch road tire and the only one suitable for speeds in excess of 300 km/h (186 mph). Custom P Zeros were also developed for the Ferrari F50, which was launched at the 1995 Geneva Motor Show, and again for the Ferrari Enzo’s P Zero Corsas. Both the Ferrari LaFerrari and LaFerrari Aperta are equipped with Pirelli P Zero Corsa Asimmetrico 2 tires from the factory.

While the vast majority of us will never get the chance to drive a 288 GTO, ensuring that rare exotic cars like this can remain on the road for years to come is a good thing for all car enthusiasts. After all, who wouldn’t want to see a 288 GTO driving down the street?