24/06/2010
NEWS STORY
Michelin motorsport boss Nick Shorrock has revealed that the French manufacturer never officially applied to become the tyre supplier for the Formula One World Championship following Bridgestone's withdrawal.
While the French manufacturer was known to be interested, and at one stage considered to be the FIA's preferred choice, Shorrock reveals that unless there were changes to the regulations - thought to include increasing the wheel diameter to 18 inches, a move which would see larger wheels with lower profile tyres which would change handling and suspension - Michelin wasn't interested in returning to F1.
"We were asked whether we were ready to supply tyres with the regulations of 2010," he told L'Equipe. "We had discussions with the authorities, there were proposals to improve the show, to have a positive impact on the environment while controlling the costs, and of course where there is a competition of manufacturers. But the regulations did not change.
"Therefore, in the context of the current regulations remaining in force in 2011 we were not prepared to submit an official application."