JUNE 22, 2006

Michelin says no to F1

Michelin has announced that it will not be bidding for the right to become the single tyre supplier in 2008.

Michelin has announced that it will not be bidding for the right to become the single tyre supplier in 2008.

In a statement the Clermont-Ferrand based company said that "Michelin has continually made its belief known that Formula 1 should, as motorsport's cutting edge discipline, be an arena where the most advanced technologies can do battle in the interest of motoring. In this respect, the changes in the Formula 1 rules to bring in a single-tyre supplier go completely against these principles. It is one more step towards standardising a sport which should be practised at the highest level of competition.

"As a result Michelin will not reply to the FIA tender for tyre supply in Formula 1. It does not wish to be seen to support the spirit of this tender at a time when the quality of its tyres has been amply demonstrated and appreciated but its partners, with a total of 99 Grand Prix wins over the years, under whichever rules have been in place."