• 2011 season

Michelin on the brink of F1 return

ESPNF1 Staff
May 6, 2010 « More updates for Barrichello than Hulkenberg in Spain | »
Michelin could be back in F1 next year © Sutton Images
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Michelin is close to agreeing a deal to return to Formula One in 2011 as a tyre supplier.

Even though Avon and Pirelli have also expressed interest in replacing Bridgestone when it leaves at the end of the season, Germany's Auto Motor und Sport said Michelin is the favourite after watering down some of its earlier demands. The publication said a three-year deal through 2013 is likely, with every team paying the French marque €3 million per season.

The deal will also see Michelin branding on the cars, driver overalls and around the grand prix circuits, but the wheel diameter will not be immediately switched from 13 inches to 18 inches, as previously suggested. Michelin will reportedly provide less tyres per car per weekend than is currently the case, and three different compounds - hard, medium and soft, with the teams able to select which compounds are used.

Representatives of the Italian marque Pirelli will make a presentation to the teams in Spain this weekend, and have been touted as the likely supplier to the GP2 field beginning next year.

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