There's intense speculation going on about which company will provide tires to Formula 1 teams in 2011.
French tire manufacturer Michelin said they were willing to provide tire if they would be paid three millions euros per team, get track, car and drivers' suits signage, and fight against a rival tire company.
Other companies interested in supplying tires include Pirelli, Avon and South Koreans Kumho and Hankook (although the latter in lo longer involved in the most recent negotiations).
It appears that in Barcelona the Formula 1 team directors have asked Bridgestone to seriously reconsider their decision to quit F1 at the end of the current season.
According to British motorsport magazine Autosport, Bridgestone's motorsport director Hiroshi Yasukawa met with F1 team representatives several times over the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, where he was informed that teams are now keen for the Japanese company to remain.
Rumours say the teams have asked Bridgestone to supply tire without any identification if that would suit them better. Providing nameless tires would be one clever way for Bridgestone to continue to provide tire without being officially involved.
The F1 teams want to work with a tire supplier that can provide them with products of excellent quality. Having recently been involved in F1, Michelin is fully capable to provide these tires.
However, the F1 teams are a little worried about Pirelli, Avon and Kuhmo's capacity to produce tires that are as good as the current Bridgestone because they have no F1 experience to rely on.
Team bosses are set to have further discussions in Monaco this coming weekend to try and agree on their preferred route for tires for next season -- with outfits reckoning that Pirelli and Michelin offer the best option for next year if Bridgestone does not remain.
French tire manufacturer Michelin said they were willing to provide tire if they would be paid three millions euros per team, get track, car and drivers' suits signage, and fight against a rival tire company.
Other companies interested in supplying tires include Pirelli, Avon and South Koreans Kumho and Hankook (although the latter in lo longer involved in the most recent negotiations).
It appears that in Barcelona the Formula 1 team directors have asked Bridgestone to seriously reconsider their decision to quit F1 at the end of the current season.
According to British motorsport magazine Autosport, Bridgestone's motorsport director Hiroshi Yasukawa met with F1 team representatives several times over the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, where he was informed that teams are now keen for the Japanese company to remain.
Rumours say the teams have asked Bridgestone to supply tire without any identification if that would suit them better. Providing nameless tires would be one clever way for Bridgestone to continue to provide tire without being officially involved.
The F1 teams want to work with a tire supplier that can provide them with products of excellent quality. Having recently been involved in F1, Michelin is fully capable to provide these tires.
However, the F1 teams are a little worried about Pirelli, Avon and Kuhmo's capacity to produce tires that are as good as the current Bridgestone because they have no F1 experience to rely on.
Team bosses are set to have further discussions in Monaco this coming weekend to try and agree on their preferred route for tires for next season -- with outfits reckoning that Pirelli and Michelin offer the best option for next year if Bridgestone does not remain.