Auto123.com - Helping you drive happy

F1: Time running out for 2011 tyre supply deal

|
Get the best interest rate
Khatir Soltani
D'après GMM

Michelin has received "no feedback" since its competition chief Nick Shorrock met with formula one teams in Turkey two weeks ago.

With the teams close to selecting Pirelli as their tyre supplier for 2011, Nick Shorrock travelled to Istanbul to make Michelin's alternative proposal clearer.

The Italian website 422race.com reports that Milan-based Pirelli has definitely secured the deal, with confirmation due between the Montreal and Valencia races. A source at the company said the delay is taking place within the FIA's legal department.

But Nick Shorrock on Thursday would not rule Michelin out, "Since the trip that I made to Istanbul two weeks ago, the objective of which was to meet with the teams to talk about the details of our offer, I've had no feedback, but I am expecting some. But time is getting very tight to develop a product that is consistent, delivers good performance and above all is safe," he is quoted by the AFP news agency.

Both Pirelli and FIA president Jean Todt have indicated that a final decision about the 2011 tyre supply is not imminent.

But Nick Shorrock warned: "Within the next couple of weeks if there's not enough information then it's going to make life extremely hard for all parties. My past experience of F1 is around this time people start moving on to next year's car. If you're not on board in June/July time you will be struggling."


Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada