Michelin bids to return to F1 racing

London – Michelin is planning a return to Formula One racing with an application being made to supply tires for the 2017 season, a company spokesman has confirmed.

In its tender, he said, Michelin is proposing a forward by the F1 organisers to switch to 18-inch tires, which Michelin says are more durable than the rubber now being used.

F1 cars currently run on 13-inch tires with large sidewalls. These, said the Michelin spokesman, bear little resemblance to most conventional car tires and so offer little benefit in terms of technology transfer.

The new Michelin proposals, he said, will also lead to the use of tires with much greater durability - current tires are designed for high grip but need to be changed during a race.

This revision is in line with Michelin’s development of tires for endurance racing, such as Le Mans.

“Michelin would be delighted to discuss ways of contributing to the spectacle of Formula 1 with all the championship’s players, as long as the role played by tires is respected,” said Pascal Couasnon, Michelin motorsport director in a written statement.

Michelin, he added, “is in favour of mid-race tire changes, while at the same time allowing the divers to focus on racing rather than on tire management.”