FIA reacts on Michelin withdrawal

After hints here and there following the future change of tyre regulations in F1, Michelin, one of the two tyre suppliers currently in F1 has announced that it will discontinue its investment and leave F1 at the end of 2006. The aim of the FIA to appoint a single tyre supplier is unacceptable for the French manufacturer who believe tyres are crucial in a car's performance. Here follows the FIA statement.

The FIA has noted Michelin’s announcement of its withdrawal from Formula One at the end of 2006.

Everyone in Formula One will be most grateful to Michelin for the efforts they have made and for their courtesy in giving the necessary full year’s notice.

The competing teams have repeatedly and unanimously requested the FIA to impose a single tyre supplier in Formula One. This has been agreed for 2008, but Michelin’s announcement makes it probable for 2007. The teams will certainly be glad of this.

A single tyre supplier will undoubtedly make Formula One fairer, safer and less expensive for the teams but, above all, it will avoid a repetition of the problem which arose at the 2005 US Grand Prix.

http://www.f1technical.net/news/1473