Michelin will leave F1 after 2006 season The French tyre manufacturer confirms its decision Michelin's final season in F1 Michelin has on several occasions expressed the conditions of its involvement in Formula One: Michelin considers Formula One to be a highly technical motorsport in which the tyre is a very influential component in the scope of the performance of the vehicle. The teams' freedom to choose their own tyres is essential. Therefore, competition between at least two tyre manufacturers is critical; this provides the basis for real competition between tyre suppliers which, in turn, stimulates progress for the publics greater interest. Today, it would appear as though Formula One rules will be modified to impose a single tyre supplier. After consulting with its loyal partners (McLaren Mercedes, BMW Sauber F1, Renault F1, Honda Racing F1) as well as with Sir Frank Williams, Michelin is now convinced that the evolution towards a single tyre supplier is inevitable. Michelin expresses its regret to see F1 lose a part of its high technology. In addition to this new direction in F1, there are constant changes to racing regulations without warning. Such practices also make planning for the future completely impossible. In this context, continuing to make long-term investments in Formula One no longer presents the same interest. Michelin has therefore decided not to extend its Formula One involvement beyond the 2006 season. "This decision is the result of profound differences between Michelins long-standing sporting philosophy and the way Formula One is managed by the regulating authorities, which no longer provide a clear and sustainable environment to justify long-term investments, commented Mr. Edouard Michelin. "For Michelin, leaving Formula One in no way represents abandoning motorsports, to which the Michelin brand has been committed for 117 years. If F1s ways of functioning were to be significantly modified, Michelin would not hesitate in proposing its services to the different teams once again." Michelins withdrawal at the end of 2006 will almost certainly bring into play a single tyre supplier in 2007. In this new situation, it should be possible to verify if the FIAs vaunted advantages of control tyres are proven and, in particular, if equality amongst teams really is guaranteed. This decision is being made public in December 2005 to respect the FIAs required notice period and to provide a maximum amount of preparation time to Michelin partners, with whom there was no firm commitment beyond 2006. In conclusion, Mr. Edouard Michelin stated: "No matter what, Michelin will do everything possible to ensure that its partners receive the best service and the best tyres to help them win during the 2006 season, as has always been the case since our return to Formula One in 2001. Michelin would have liked to have extended its long-term Formula One involvement, because the demands of Formula One as well as the collaboration with partner teams have been such a source of progress and fruitful exchanges. Thank you to all of our partners for this. Press release Michelin
Do you blame them? Anytime they got an advantage Ferrari would whine and the FIA would change the rules.
This will definitely make the sport more competitive and we can guarantee a full grid U.S. Grand Prix.
Agreed. Also F1 looks like it was moving toward a one tire manufacturer supply anyway. With Bridgestone being a Japanese company and supplying Ferrari it makes sense that F1 would probably choose them anyway.
in my opinion f1 as a whole is dying to many bs regulations about making things fair you know what?...**** that racing is here to be fair racing is here to win however you can at any cost FIA has become far to politcal and have ruined this once greatest of sports
Not really a surprise, it was announced unofficially a while ago. Which is why Ferrari stuck to BS despite their performance this year. I'm VERY happy to see only one supplier in F1. That will lower the speeds and increase safety. And go a long way for saving costs as all those ridiculous tire test sessions can be scrapped come 2007. One of the best things that could have happen to F1 in years. Bravo!
Best driver and best chassis will become once again a lot more important than it was/is. I don't care on what rubber the car or driver wins. That to me is just another consumable like engine oil or fuel.
For once I would like to see the rules stay the same for more than one year. Only then then will we see a real team or teams dominate.
I thought that FIA changed rules to hurt Ferrari... ? I wonder if Coker Tire will step in! Someone here must know the owner (Corky?).
Seems like a "you can fire me because I quit!" measure. Haven't the rules already stated only one tire for 2006?
FIA changes the rules to keep the racing interesting. Over the years they have done it to help Ferrari and they have done it to hurt Ferrari.
Agreed but generally, over the last few years, last year aside, it's been in Ferrari's favor and usually against Michelin.
Being lame duck tire supplier it can't give the Mich teams a very warm and fuzzy feeling. As Andreas stated this is no real surprise. I wonder if Goodyear will make a bid to oust BS ?
Yes and no: FIA was in bed with Ferrari during the FISA/FOCA wars, but they didn't actively try to help the Scuderia. They left them hanging in the 21 year drought. Only in the second half of the nineties the FIA started to become more biased towards Ferrari in its rulings (eg. the case vs McLaren over the Malaysian barge boards). The sentiment against Michelin is IMHO a more recent development and has probably more to do with the power struggle over who controls F1 and what Mosley wants.
I doubt it for several reasons: - I don't believe in GPMA becoming a reality - Michelin leaves because they have the title and because of costs For the same reason I think we won't see Renault around after next year. In neither series.
I was refering to the last few years which they have generally very Ferrari biased. The FIA has meddled with the rules against michelin a few times already. I don't blame them for being upset. Remember the whole the front Michelins are too wide BS in 03? Then the rules change back to tire changes when michelins was dominant. How would you feel? I'd be paranoid too if everyone was out to get me...................
Nahh, the real reason Michelin calls it quits in 2007: They're too afraid to have to reimburse all the US fans for the FIAsco at the 2006 USGP...
It's riddance. I used the wrong spelling. English is such a stupid language. Okay dunce cap on. Duurrrrrrrrrrrr. LOL.
