MARCH 12, 2007

Michelin challenges bid process

Michelin has announced that it is initiating legal proceedings against the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA).

The French tyre manufacturer is challenging the legality of the bid process, in which Pirelli won the rights to be the sole tyre supplier for the 2008 World Rally Championship.

The company issued the following statement: "Michelin initiates legal proceedings against the FIA before the Tribunal de Grande Instance de Paris and requests that the 27 February 2007 decision of the World Motor Sport Council of the FIA granting Pirelli the exclusive supply of tyres for the 2008-2009-2010 World Rally Championships (WRC) be annulled due to irregularities in the tender process."