Michelin may bid on F1 tyre supply contract for 2008-10

Paris - Michelin has not ruled out bidding on the contract to supply tyres to the international Formula 1 Grand Prix racing series for the 2008-2010 seasons but will not make its decision known before the June 23 bid deadline.

Michelin, which has been active in F1 racing for the past six seasons, will not compete next year, having stated its displeasure with F1 racing's organiser, Federation International de l´Automobile (FIA), to change the rules to a single tyre supply situation.

Michelin Chairman Michel Rollier told journalists at a press conference June 10 during the Challenge Bibendum event near Paris that the company is evaluating the pros and cons of the single tyre supplier contract and may still submit a bid to become the official supplier.

Under the terms and conditions of the bid tender, the company selected to be the tyre supplier would supply all teams with all tyres - for racing and testing - and necessary support functions free of charge. In return the winning bidder gets the right to identify itself as the "official tyre supplier" of the F1 World Championship.

Team Renault driver Fernando Alonso won the world drivers´ championship last year racing on Michelin tyres and leads the standings this year after winning five of the 19-race series´ first eight races.

From Rubber & Plastics News (A Crain publication)