From GMM
French tire manufacturer Michelin will only return to Formula 1 next year if it has at least one tire supplier to compete against.
With Bridgestone pulling out as the official sole supplier, the French marque Michelin has admitted it is considering returning to the sport it left at the end of 2006.
It has been rumoured that Michelin not only wants to be paid to supply 18-inch tires in 2011, but that it would welcome a rival competitor.
At the opening round of the 2010 Le Mans Series at the 8 Hours of Le Castellet at the Paul Ricard HTTT circuit, a senior Michelin spokesman said: "Certain things have to be done, we must have competition, we do not want to be the only supplier."
Reports suggest that if the F1 rim size is increased to Le Mans-type specification as per Michelin's wishes, Yokohama and Dunlop may also be interested.
photo: WRI2
French tire manufacturer Michelin will only return to Formula 1 next year if it has at least one tire supplier to compete against.
With Bridgestone pulling out as the official sole supplier, the French marque Michelin has admitted it is considering returning to the sport it left at the end of 2006.
It has been rumoured that Michelin not only wants to be paid to supply 18-inch tires in 2011, but that it would welcome a rival competitor.
At the opening round of the 2010 Le Mans Series at the 8 Hours of Le Castellet at the Paul Ricard HTTT circuit, a senior Michelin spokesman said: "Certain things have to be done, we must have competition, we do not want to be the only supplier."
Reports suggest that if the F1 rim size is increased to Le Mans-type specification as per Michelin's wishes, Yokohama and Dunlop may also be interested.
photo: WRI2