Michelin open to sole F1 tyre supply, says motorsport director

Comments from Pascal Couasnon are certain to build on speculation that Michelin will, at some stage, return to Formula One. The tyre maker’s motorsports director shared with French website toilef1.com that Michelin may soften its previous stance on sole tyre supply – while Couasnon indicated a preference for multiple tyre suppliers, he told toilef1.com that “we are ready to go it alone” should the applicable regulations be agreeable to Michelin. He also touched on the other points on Michelin’s wish list: F1 tyre dimensions that enable a level of technology transfer to road tyres, and the opportunity to develop F1 tyres that are not only stable and fast, but also long-lasting. Referring indirectly to Pirelli’s experience as Formula One tyre supplier, Couasnon commented “we need the tyre not to be an object of show, but an object of technology.”