Sauber to Use Michelin Tyres

Sauber Petronas has announced that it will swap tyre supplier from Bridgestone to Michelin. The new contract with French tyre manufacturer will come into effect immediately, Sauber said in a press release. According to the statement, the team will conduct its first test with Michelin tyres at the end of November in Barcelona.

The Swiss team had been using Bridgestone tyres for six years until its contract with Bridgestone expired at the end of last season. “I’m very pleased that we were able to sign this contract with Michelin and I’m looking forward to a successful cooperation. At the same time I would like to thank Bridgestone for a good partnership during the past six years,” said Sauber team boss Peter Sauber.

As Formula One increasingly tightens its restrictions on tyres, more teams are joining Michelin. As of 2005, cars will be limited to the same set of tyres for qualifying and race day. This will drop speeds as tyre makers will use a harder rubber compound, reducing traction. Currently, teams are allowed to use several sets and can change them at will during the race.

Ferrari is the only remaining top team still using Bridgestone tyres. Top challengers McLaren-Mercedes, Williams-BMW and Renault are all on Michelin.

“As we demonstrated in 2004, our technology makes a significant contribution to the performance of Formula One cars equipped by Michelin,” said Pierre Dupasquier, head of Michelin Group’s competition operations division. “I look forward to enabling Sauber Petronas to benefit from this progress.”