In the wake of the Italian GP, Michelin has turned down the chance to once again supply tyres for F1 teams in 2020, because F1 cares for the show rather than racing.
Having spent time contemplating a return to the pinnacle of motorsports, Michelin eventually declined. The main reasons stated were the FIA’s insistence on tyres having artificially high degradation results in a “show”, rather than a race. There is also the FIA’s decision to keep the 13 inch tyre size for 2020 and transition the 18 inch ones for 2021. This means that a new entrant may have to develop two completely different tyres and that results on a really big budget increase.
Michelin’s statement read:
We have received the technical specifications on which the FIA call for tenders has been issued and we have studied it carefully. Michelin’s recommendations for a switch to 18-inch tyres, as in Formula E, have been taken up by the authorities, which we are delighted about. However, the demand for the supply of 13-inch tyres for the 2020 season alone, as well as the deterioration of performance as a part of the show, goes against our principles of efficient resource management and respect for the technology of a sustainable tyre.
Michelin will still however be keeping an eye on future possibilities to get back to the sport as the rest of their statement suggested:
Michelin has therefore decided to refrain from any response to this invitation to tender and will continue to follow, in conjunction with its governing bodies, the developments of Formula 1 in the coming years.
Whether things change in the near future remains to be seen, but it does appear that given the right circumstances. Michelin’s return to F1 doesn’t seem completely out of question. The French marque is the official tyre supplier for MotoGP, and also contributes in WEC in all categories and will be the official tyre supplier in IMSA Sportcar Championship from 2019.
Do you like it if the days of several tyre manufacturers returned? Do you think it’s another needed strategical element? Or do you agree that the same tyres for teams makes the racing fair? Let us know in the comments.
