MICHELIN PREPARES GROUND FOR EXIT
Last Updated: Saturday, 03, September, 2005, 16:06
Michelin is preparing the ground for a withdrawal from Formula 1 at the end of next year over the governing body’s determination to revert to a single tyre supplier.
FIA president Max Mosley met with representatives from the ten teams and seven car makers last week to discuss a new rules package for 2008 and beyond.
Mosley is keen to push ahead with the control tyre proposal as a means of cutting costs, allowing a greater safety margin and ensuring a more level playing field between the teams.
But Michelin motorsport director Pierre Dupasquier believes a monopoly tyre situation would be a retrograde step for F1, and would hold no interest for the French company.
In a statement issued by Michelin, Dupasquier said: “This proposal to work with a single tyre manufacturer in reality conceals a fundamental issue: the reduction of the role of the tyre to that of a banal component with no other added value than permitting Formula 1 cars to be mobile.
“As the world’s leading tyre manufacturer, that is something we cannot accept.
“In day-to-day life, road car and truck manufacturers are forever coming to us with a view to developing new tyres that optimise the running, comfort, road holding and energy efficiency of their vehicles, while in Formula 1, a technological showcase if ever there was one, you’re talking about tyres becoming something banal.
“That would make no sense at all for our customers and for the image of the tyre.
“When you are the leading tyre manufacturer, you have a responsibility vis-a-vis your profession, or in any case a responsibility as we see it at Michelin.”
Assuming that its objections to a control tyre are not heeded by the FIA, Michelin is expected to carry out its threat to quit F1 rather than tendering for the tyre supply contract.
Sources at Monza indicate that CEO Edouard Michelin is ready to confirm the company's withdrawal as early as next weekend's Belgian Grand Prix.
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