After leaving Bridgestone as the sole tire supplier of the Formula One World Championship with their departure following the 2006 season, Michelin have announced their intentions to return to the highest level of single-seat racing, per Motorsport.com.
Aiming to replace Pirelli, whose deal ends at the end of the 2016 season, the French company relies its proposal on the implementation of new 18-inch wheels, instead of the current 13-inch models. According to Michelin’s front office, the changes target closing in the gap between technologies used in the category and those applied to road cars. Company representatives have said Michelin has no interest in joining F1 if the series decide to keep the current wheels in the future.
“We made some proposals in F1 already but couldn't get the chance to go really far into it two or three years ago," said Pascal Couasnon, Michelin's motorsport boss. "Now that there is a well-established process, we were able to formulate an offer with our ideas."
Michelin also shoots at the current state of tire technology; given that Pirelli intentionally produces less durable tires, for the “sake of entertainment."
“Indeed, one of the extremely important things is that in addition to providing a show with technology and tires that correspond to something, we would like to get closer to everyday life," said Couasnon. "We want this technology that would be put in the tires to reach the high-end road car products. It would be something.”
The French company already faces some resistance from F1 teams who question the direction it intends to head with 18-inch wheels. Their biggest concern is that the extra weight from the bigger rims will slow cars down. Last year, new wheels were put on track for the first time during a test day, but the proposed change was vetoed.
Pirelli, F1’s current tire supplier, is not ready to give up the place, with its heavy investment in trackside advertisement and race-branding being much to their benefit.
Michelin applied at the very latest moment possible, it seems, as the deadline was June 17 - although it is unknown when the tire supplier will be chosen by the FIA. Pirelli rejoined the series in 2011, while Michelin’s last stint lasted six seasons, from 2001 to 2006.
Pete Liguori is the lead F1 writer of the VAVEL USA Racing section. Follow him on Twitter at @PeteUSSports, and be sure to follow the new Twitter account of F1 coverage on VAVEL USA, @VAVELFormula1.
