French multinational tyre manufacturing company Michelin confirmed that it does not intend to apply to become Formula 1’s future tyre supplier, explaining that this decision is based on the fact that FIA currently wants tyres that degrade in a way “that affect the sporting spectacle.”
Florent Menegaux, Chief Operating Officer at Michelin, added that the French company, which last supplied tyres to Formula One almost two decades ago, is still interested in the sport, while at the same time pointing out that Michelin does not share the same view as the FIA when it comes to the type of tyres the sport should use. In March, the governing body opened the tendering process to supply Formula 1 tyres beyond the 2025 season. Since 2011, when it replaced Bridgestone, Pirelli has been the only tyre supplier for Formula 1 and has expressed its interest in continuing after 2025.
The FIA tender outlines several criteria the next supplier has to meet in order to apply. The FIA says “improvement of the show” is a key priority target ahead of the drivability aspect, as well as performance and operating conditions.
Bridgestone Menegaux pointed out that his company does not believe that the ideal way to produce competitive racing is through tyres that are created to degrade: “We have been discussing with them for a very long time — and we are not in agreement,” he said, as reported by The Drive – “Because they say to have the show, you have to have tyres that destroy themselves. And I think we don’t know how to do this. So, we cannot agree.” – he added.
Michelin’s CEO feels that the sport is better when drivers are allowed to push and race as much as possible, without having to manage the tyres, are is currently the case: “Teams should be understanding tyre performance and capitalising on the fact that the tyre is going to be performing from the first lap around the circuit to the last,” he continued.
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Despite the fact that “the drivers will tell you they want to be at their maximum all the time”, Florent Menegaux explained that the same drivers would confirm “it’s not possible” to do that based on the current era of high-degradation Pirelli tyres.
Florent Menegaux does not believe there is brand value for his company if they were to “improve the show” in Formula 1 due to already being “one of the best-known brands in the world”. He added that Michelin’s motivation to join the most important motorsport series would be “because it’s the best way to very quickly live test new technology”.
Any other interested manufacturers have to send their documentation in less than a month, at a cost of €75,000 (£66,000). The FIA is expected to make a decision and inform the Formula One Group of their chosen tyre provider in June.
Pirelli has announced it is currently analyzing the FIA’s tender documentation, while no other tyre manufacturer has expressed its intention to apply at this stage.
yet to publicly comment on if they intend to apply.
South Korean tire company Hankook, the seventh largest tire company in the world and the current supplier to Formula E, is involved in a race against time to offer tyres for racing series across the entire world after a huge fire at their Daejeon factory in South Korea a few weeks ago. The incident ruined a large amount of items and led to tyre production being stopped. Formula E remains one of its lucky competitions that had already shipped out many of their tyres for the championship.
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