Michelin to drop teams

Michelin is running too many Formula One teams. It's no secret that Bridgestone is begging for more teams to improve total testing for bridgestone tyres. It's rumoured that 3 Formula One Teams will be confirmed this weekend as Bridgestone runners, one being Toyota.

Having supplied 70% of the grid this season (McLaren, Williams, Renault, BAR, Toyota, Sauber and Red Bull Racing), Michelin is desperate to shed some of their teams to rival Bridgestone, as the workload of five manufacture-based teams is having its toll.

Rumours are spread that Red Bull Racing, Williams and Toyota are set to leave the French company, joining Bridgestone next season. Nick Shorrock, a Michelin F1 chief, commented: "We will be ending up with a reduction of partners for the 2006 season"

Toyota is under extreme pressure from the Japanese manufacture tor switch to the Bridgestone tyre supplier who is supllying all of their road cars and a deal extending from their car production to their F1 racers has been rumoured for the last couple of months.

Ferrari will be welcoming any additional teams so it looks like a stronger Bridgestone package is likely for 2006.

Of course, nothing is certain at this point. Both Michelin, Bridgestone as the teams are checking the borders for new contracts. But with only 4 races to go, it's possible that soon we get some pressreleases about this topic who will provide more brightness in the situation for 2006.