• 2011 season

Michelin still wants tyre war

ESPNF1 Staff
May 7, 2010 « Hamilton sets early pace in Spain | »
Michelin was last in F1 in 2006 © Sutton Images
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Michelin wants to face opposition if it is going to return to Formula One as a tyre supplier in 2011.

On the Thursday before the Spanish Grand Prix Auto Motor und Sport reported that Michelin was on the brink of agreeing a deal to return to the sport, having agreed to dilute its initial demands. However, managing partner Didier Mariton told shareholders of the French company on Friday that competition is still a prerequisite for Michelin taking part.

"We're in talks with the Federation [FIA] and the other bodies that run Formula One and we told them that if several brands were allowed in the sport then Michelin... would be ready to think about it," Mariton said, before adding that more emphasis needed to be put on the environmental benefits that can be gained through tyres.

This weekend Pirelli is also putting forward a proposal to supply tyres next year and Cooper Avon has already been in talks with teams over a potential deal.

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