Michelin is not ready to return to F1 anytime soon
The CEO of the Clermont brand explains that he is not in agreement with the leaders of Formula 1 and will not participate in the bidding process launched by the discipline for the next tire suppliers.
It has been 17 years since Michelin left Formula 1. Since the beginning of 2007, Bridgestone and Pirelli have taken over from the manufacturer based in Clermont-Ferrand, supplying tires to the teams. Michelin left following a disagreement with the governing body of the sport at the time. The company believed it was important to have competition among tire manufacturers.
A second point of disagreement is the specifications imposed for the composition and behavior of the tires. The latter required a certain degradation of performance. This is a point that Michelin did not tolerate and still does not accept.
« Because they say that the show must go on, they say that we need tires that self-destruct. »
« The question is: how can we make the most of technology to create a great show? And that’s where Formula 1 comes into play, because we have been discussing with them for a very long time, and we don’t agree. Because they say that the show must go on, they say that we need tires that self-destruct. And I think to myself that we don’t know how to do that. So we can’t agree », explains Florent Menegaux, CEO of Michelin, in The Drive’s columns.
No planned return to F1
« The stables should understand the performance of the tires and take advantage of the fact that the tires will be performing from the first lap of the track until the last. The drivers will tell you that they want to be at maximum capacity constantly. And when I hear the Formula 1 drivers – and I love Formula 1 – say “No no, it’s not possible”… »
The CEO of the brand adds that Michelin is present in motorsports to test new technologies. The manufacturer is present in other competitions (Moto GP, Endurance…) and is happy with it since the results are satisfactory.
In MotoGP, we provide soft, medium, and hard tires for all types of tracks, for every race. And each type of motorcycle can triumph on soft, medium, or hard tires without changing them. It depends on the motorcycle’s settings, the type of track, and how the rider operates. So when we can influence the regulations to achieve performance using much fewer materials while producing a great spectacle, it’s good. In MotoGP, even teams that are not top teams can win. And they will tell you that the tires we provide help them do so. That’s why we’re not going back to Formula 1.
In 215 Grand Prix, Michelin emerged victorious 102 times and won 5 driver titles (1979, 1983, 1984, 2005, and 2006).
