.:: 2011 Tyres Thread - Pirelli becomes sole supplier ::.

MICHELIN CLOSE TO FORMULA ONE RETURN

Michelin is closing in on a deal to return to Formula 1 next year, AUTOSPORT has learned, but it may not be as a standard tyre supplier.

Although no final decision has been made, sources have revealed that the French tyre manufacturer is in advanced negotiations with the FIA about the terms of a return for the first time since it quit at the end of 2006.

It is believed that an announcement confirming Michelin's comeback could be made as soon as this month.

Current standard tyre supplier Bridgestone is leaving F1 at the end of this season, with the Japanese company's board deciding that it does not benefit enough to justify its investment in the sport.

Although a replacement standard tyre supplier would require the FIA to go through an official tender process, it is believed there is a chance the governing body will simply open up the entry criteria to allow any qualified manufacturer in - reigniting an F1 tyre war.

Should Michelin give the green light to return, then it could be against other tyre manufacturers such as Hankook and Kumho who have also been linked with a move into F1.

Michelin's last spell in F1 was from 2001 until 2006 – when it enjoyed world title success with Renault but also endured its fair share of controversy, including being forced to withdraw from the 2005 United States Grand Prix on safety grounds.

Michelin was not interested in becoming the sole tyre supplier when the tender process was opened for 2008 – believing it vital that the company faced competition if it was to invest in F1.

Earlier this month Michelin's managing partner Jean-Dominique Senard told the Bloomberg news agency that the French company was open to a move back to F1 if the sport could prove its environmental credentials.

"We might consider returning but there are some very clear conditions," he said.

AUTOSPORT

F1 WARNED AGAINST TYRE RULES REVAMP

Formula 1 needs to think carefully about introducing a major revamp of the sport's tyre regulations next year, amid speculation that Michelin could return to grand prix racing with totally different rubber.

As AUTOSPORT revealed yesterday, Michelin is close to giving the green light to coming back to F1 after a four-year absence in a move that could reignite a tyre war for the first time since 2006.

It is also understood that serious consideration is being giving to the French tyre company's desire to make F1's tyres bigger - by running 18-inch diameter tyres rather than the 13-inch ones that are currently used.

Such a move would force teams to make a major revamp to their car designs for 2011 – and it something that Gascoyne believes needs to be thought through with great care before the go-ahead is given.

"It will have a huge impact – and it depends on how we address it," Gascoyne told AUTOSPORT about the prospect of Michelin re-entering F1 next year with 18-inch tyres.

"Some people are saying let's not allow anyone to change anything on the suspension and put 18-inch rims on it, which you can sort of see why. But then you are going to have to change it at some stage and, if you are going to do so, why not do it straight away.

"It is something that I have mixed views about. In some respects as a new team you like big rule changes because it is a great leveller. In other ways, as a new team, maybe you don't have the number of people and the facilities to cope with it – but bring it on. Whatever it will be, we will get on and deal with it."

Gascoyne believes that as well as forcing teams to make big suspension changes, the change of tyre size will have other implications on car design.

"The aero implications are very big as well, it is huge. That is why I think we need to think carefully.

"Obviously there will also be less air in the tyres, so pressure management and all things like that become easier. There are less variables though.

"Obviously with the sidewall stiffness, a variable is taken away out of the suspension system, so there is a lot more space within the uprights – but do you then start damping the wheels and all sorts? We need to think quite carefully about it - that we don't end up allowing huge expense back into the sport."

He added: "Some of the big teams may not want it themselves because they will want to maintain the status quo, but there is a big aero change with the ban on double diffusers anyway – so teams will have to design new cars.

"But from my perspective, every time there is a rule change we are not having to catch up with the two or three year's development we are behind, so we look forward to a big rule change. We will get on and deal with whatever it is."

Bridgestone's director of tyre development Hirohide Hamashima believes a move to 18-inch tyres will lead to a big change in car handling.

"Generally speaking, if we put 18-inch tyres on the current cars suddenly, then it will have big oversteer – and will have less traction very quickly," he told AUTOSPORT. "Teams would have to redesign the rear suspension, aerodynamics and brake discs. It would be a lot of money and a lot of work."

Gascoyne is also wary about the prospect of a new tyre war in F1 – with the FIA having favoured a standard tyre for the last few years in a bid to bring down costs.

"I think tyre wars, with limited testing, will be hard," said Gascoyne. "Tyre wars are great if you are on the right tyre, but pretty bad if you are on the wrong one. And again, tyre wars have never brought down costs, they only make them spiral upwards. So again I think we have to be careful about that."

AUTOSPORT

Cooper Avon enters race for 2011 tyres

Cooper Avon has emerged as a surprise late contender to supply Formula 1 tyres next season, AUTOSPORT has learned, despite teams having agreed in principle a deal with Michelin.

After weeks of discussions between F1 teams and Michelin about the French tyre manufacturer returning to the sport next season, high level sources have revealed that an official offer for a 2011 deal has now been proposed in writing to the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA).

While what is proposed is believed to have the support of every team, the move still needs ratification from the FIA and F1 commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone before it can be put into practice.

However, despite the teams being keen on the Michelin plans - which will include a switch to 18-inch wheels - sources claim that Bernie Ecclestone is not in favour of such a move, and is instead believed to be keen on a different tyre manufacturer getting involved.

AUTOSPORT understands that FOTA representatives are now hoping to meet Ecclestone at the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday to try and sort out the situation - with him not having yet informed teams what his own preferred route for 2011 is.

A source told AUTOSPORT: "We want to know by the Spanish Grand Prix what tyres we are running in 2011. That is why we plan to meet with Ecclestone on Sunday to see what his idea is."

Sources suggest that Ecclestone is pushing for a deal with Cooper Avon. It is possible that the tyre manufacturer could use former Bridgestone personnel to help service the tyres and ensure it is operating at a level that will satisfy F1 teams.

FOTA has now ruled out any hope of Bridgestone being persuaded to remain in the sport - even as supplier to a few teams - despite a push by the teams to try and convince the Japanese manufacturer to remain after this season.

SOURCE: Autosport.com

Pirelli expresses interest in F1

Pirelli has emerged as a third potential supplier of Formula One tyres in 2011.

It has been confirmed that Michelin, favoured by the FOTA group, as well as Avon-Cooper - believed to be favoured by Bernie Ecclestone and small F1 teams due to its lower-cost proposal - are in the running to replace the departing official supplier Bridgestone. Milan-based Pirelli said late last year that it did not want to enter F1 because it "prefers to develop tyres for racing that will also be used on the road".

But after a shareholder's meeting in Milan on Wednesday, chairman Marco Tronchetti Provera said Pirelli might rethink its attitude if certain conditions are met. Like Michelin, he said Pirelli wants the diameter of F1's tyres to be increased from 13 to 18 inches, and would also need to supply its product with an economic benefit to the company.

According to Italian reports including ANSA and the Milan daily Il Giornale, Tronchetti Provera added that if those conditions can be met, Pirelli would "look into this [F1] world with greater attention". He insisted, however, that at the moment "there is nothing" more to the rumours.

SOURCE: espnf1.com

I think there has to be more than one tyre supplier in this sport, why does it have to be a one tyre contract? Why not let say for example Cooper and Pirelli do the job, teams can pick who they think is best after a test or two with the diffferent companies and go from there

This sport needs more competition to spice it up, is all well and saying the field spread is what 1.5 seconds between the top teams aside from the newbies, but come after lap 3 in the race if it isn't wet, its more than likely gonna stay that way,

Need more ways to find overtaking. End of

F1 NARROWS TYRE CHOICE TO MICHELIN, AVON

Formula 1 teams are set to decide between Michelin and Cooper Avon as the sport's tyre supplier from next year, according to Williams technical director Sam Michael.

He said after a meeting of the Formula One Teams' Association on Wednesday that either the French or the American manufacturer would be chosen.

Pirelli had also stated its intention to consider a return to Formula 1, but Michael suggested teams have ruled out that option.

"The conversations really, at this point, are between Michelin and Avon," Michael told Reuters. "Avon's a lot cheaper (than Michelin) but it's a less proven product although they've done plenty of highly competitive tyres.

"They are a bigger unknown than Michelin because Michelin did it (in F1) very recently. But there is a significant difference in cost and you are probably talking over three times the difference in cost to the teams.

"So that's what's being debated at the moment."

Current tyre supplier Bridgestone will leave Formula 1 at the end of this year.

AUTOSPORT

Pirelli confirms 2011 F1 tyre offer

Pirelli has officially confirmed its intention to apply to become Formula 1's official tyre supplier from next season.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Milan-based company announced it will present an offer to the FIA and the teams with the view of supplying its tyres to the field from 2011.

"Pirelli communicates its decision to present a technical and commercial offer for supply of tyres to all the teams in the Formula 1 world championship," said Pirelli in a statement.

"The company plans to present the bid to FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile) and FOA (Formula One Administration Limited) by 9 May, the date of the next Formula 1 Grand Prix to be held in Spain."

Pirelli's statement comes after Williams technical director Sam Michael said following a FOTA meeting that the teams were set to choose between Michelin and Cooper Avon.

"The conversations really, at this point, are between Michelin and Avon," Michael told Reuters. "Avon's a lot cheaper (than Michelin) but it's a less proven product although they've done plenty of highly competitive tyres.

"They are a bigger unknown than Michelin because Michelin did it (in F1) very recently. But there is a significant difference in cost and you are probably talking over three times the difference in cost to the teams.

"So that's what's being debated at the moment."

Paul Hembery, Pirelli's motorsport director, said: "I stand by the press release we have just issued. Last week we said we wanted to make a study into this, we've made that study and progressed to a formal offer."

Pirelli's last spell in Formula 1 was from 1989 to 1991.

SOURCE: Autosport.com

BRIDGESTONE BOSSES IN PUSH TO STAY IN F1

Bridgestone's Formula 1 bosses are to make a renewed push to try and get Japanese company board members to reconsider the decision to quit the sport at the end of this year, AUTOSPORT has learned, following pressure from teams for it to continue in grand prix racing.

As F1 teams try and close in on a decision on tyres for next season, outfits have begun efforts to get Bridgestone to go back on its decision to quit.

Bridgestone's motorsport director Hiroshi Yasukawa met with F1 team representatives several times over the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, where he was informed that teams are now keen for the Japanese company to remain.

And that message from teams was reinforced to Bridgestone's new European CEO Makio Ohashi, who was present over the Barcelona weekend.

Although Bridgestone's stance that it is quitting F1 at the end of this year remains unchanged for now, Yasukawa has revealed that he will inform Japanese company chiefs about how keen F1 teams are for them to reconsider their plans.

Speaking to AUTOSPORT, Yasukawa said: "After each race meeting we make a report to Japan, so are going to report to our top board members about what has happened this weekend. Mr Ohashi has also realised that F1 is very important for Bridgestone.

"I really appreciate the teams' approach, and we are happy that they still trust in our company and they wish Bridgestone to say. Maybe we have to reconsider because of the market and the environment. We also understand that F1 itself is more concerned about the environment now, and there is a new power train coming.

"However, nothing has changed yet. Our company has said, very unfortunately, that we have to stop at the end of this year."

F1 teams are set to have further discussions in Monaco this weekend to try and agree on their preferred route for tyres for next season - with outfits reckoning that Pirelli and Michelin offer the best option for next year if Bridgestone does not remain.

Mercedes GP CEO Nick Fry said that teams were calm about the situation, but well aware that a decision had to be made quickly.

"I think we have got to make a solution and come to a decision in the next 10 days or so," he explained. "The encouraging thing is we are in a massively better position than three or four weeks ago, when maybe we had one option open to us. Now we have three and discussions are going on trying to persuade Bridgestone to stay."

 AUTOSPORT

TYRE CHOICE BETWEEN PIRELLI AND MICHELIN

Formula 1's tyre choice for next year is now a straight two-way fight between Pirelli and Michelin, Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali has confirmed.

With teams hoping to make a final decision on 2011 rubber in the next few days, having been unable to commit themselves during a meeting at the Monaco Grand Prix, Domenicali has said that Avon Cooper and Bridgestone have now been discounted.

"No decision has been taken yet," said Domenicali. "I think another week and maybe by next weekend hopefully we will be able to find a solution. There are still only two possibilities - Michelin and Pirelli. I don't see any other option."

Although Pirelli had emerged as a clear favourite over the Monaco GP weekend, Michelin's offer - in both technical and commercial terms - is still attractive enough for teams to be unsure about which direction they want to go in.

Further analysis of the terms over the next few days - with clarification from both manufacturers on certain issues - should help teams make their final call and may yet make Michelin the preferred choice.

Renault team principal Eric Boullier said time was now of the essence to get the matter sorted.

When asked by AUTOSPORT if the matter should be settled by the Turkish Grand Prix, he said: "It has to be, because I think there is a technical issue that if we wait too late then nothing will be ready for next year. It has to be done by Turkey."

SOURCE: Autosport

ED: The problems the teams have is that the majority want Pirelli. Three teams - McLaren, Mercedes and Renault, want to be with Michelin though.

Williams calls for 2011 tyres test

Formula 1 teams should be granted a special post-grand prix test session after one of this season's races to help them get an understanding of next year's tyres.

That is the view of Williams technical director Sam Michael, who thinks that the best solution for helping teams better understand tyre characteristics for their 2011 car designs is to give them a day's running with the new tyre supplier.

F1 teams are hoping to finalise whether they want Pirelli or Michelin for next year before the Turkish Grand Prix - although teams already have to get on with their 2011 designs without knowing who will supply tyres.

Michael reckons that even with full data from F1's new tyre supplier it will be hard for teams to fully understand how the rubber will behave.

"We have to just crack on with the design, assuming the tyres are similar to what we have got now because we don't have any other data," Michael told AUTOSPORT.

"We haven't decided on the tyre supplier, and even when you get the data it will be hard to ascertain the differences between Bridgestone and whoever it is without running the car on track. Hopefully we will have some sort of test.

"I think the ideal thing would be to stay back after one or two grands prix, maybe stay back on the Monday after Monza or Abu Dhabi, and do two one-hour practice sessions with a couple of sets of the new tyres if they can be produced that quickly."

Abu Dhabi is already in talks with F1 teams about holding a test immediately after the season finale, possibly for the young driver running that is currently allowed in the regulations.

SOURCE: Autosport.com

PIRELLI ON THE VERGE OF FORMULA 1 DEAL

Pirelli is on the verge of being confirmed as Formula 1's official tyre supplier, AUTOSPORT has learned, as teams close in on signing a deal with the Italian company.

Following weeks of discussions between teams about their preferred route for 2011, the last days have been spent evaluating a straight head-to-head choice between Michelin and Pirelli.

And after a number of conference calls involving members of the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA), it is understood that Pirelli has emerged as the preferred option for next year.

Although a final contract has not yet been agreed - with commercial terms and confirmation from the FIA and Formula One Management still needed to be settled - it is understood the situation is far enough agreed for an announcement to be made as early as this weekend.

Pirelli chairman Marco Tronchetti Provera told Gazzetta dello Sport: "We'll see, there is this hypothesis. By Friday we should know something."

The confirmation of Pirelli will at least ensure teams can begin designing their 2011 cars with some knowledge of what tyres they will be running, as well as give Pirelli the green light to start development of F1 rubber.

As part of the deal with the teams, Pirelli will supply 13-inch tyres for at least the next two years, and it is likely it will receive guarantees that there will be no tyre war until 2013 at the earliest.

Pirelli's racing manager Mario Isola told AUTOSPORT earlier this month that he was confident about his company's bid - even though it has not been involved in F1 since 1991.

"I think that Pirelli has a very big tradition in motorsport," he said. "We have been involved in motorsport for more than 100 years. In all our story, we showed that we have the technical ability to build motorsport tyres - also in the past with F1, with WRC recently as the sole supplier contract.

"In that case, it was not easy because there were some teams that had never used our tyres, they started in an unknown situation so we showed that we were able to build and develop a tyre that was consistent and reliable. I think the teams recognise that we have the ability to do it."

SOURCE: Autosport

ECCLESTONE: TYRE DEAL GETTING CLOSER

Bernie Ecclestone still hopes that a deal can be reached to finalise Formula 1's tyre supplier for 2011 before the end of this weekend, even though progress on the matter appears to have slowed down.

There had been some hopes in the build-up to the weekend that Pirelli could be announced as next year's supplier within the next few days, but the slow process of finalising commercial contracts with each of F1's 12 teams is now making such an possibility unlikely.

Pirelli remains the clear favourite to get the deal, but until the final contracts are signed the teams and sport's chiefs do not want to totally rule out other possibilities.

Speaking in Turkey about the latest tyre situation, Ecclestone said: "I think we are getting there. We are getting organised now."

Ecclestone suggested that the continued delays in finalising the contracts with Pirelli was not of major concern - because Michelin and even Avon Cooper options still remain on the table.

"It could be Michelin, or Pirelli, or Avons - there are a lot of people out there," said Ecclestone. "I hope we will have something a bit firmer by the time we leave here."

When asked why there was a delay in announcing the matter, Ecclestone said: "We have 13 teams, we have the FIA, us, and three tyre companies. That is enough!"

SOURCE: Autosport

PIRELLI RETURN A BOOST FOR F1 - HORNER

Pirelli's expected return to Formula 1 next season will be a boost to the sport, reckons Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner.

With Pirelli closing in on a deal to become F1's tyre supplier from the start of 2011, Horner reckons that what the Italian company is offering is a good way forward.

"I think Pirelli will be really positive for F1," said Horner in Turkey. "They are a quality company, they are a good brand to have in F1 and I think it is good news for F1. It is also really a good quantity of tyres they are looking at supplying and we are looking forward to working with them.

"Like with Bridgestone, we expect everyone to have parity in terms of supply and equipment - and that is the big advantage of a standard supplier. Doing that enables teams such as Red Bull to be competitive with teams like Ferrari, McLarens and Mercedes."

Although a deal with Pirelli is close, it is believed there are still final contractual matters that need tidying up before it can be announced. These issues relate to commercial terms, future option clauses and specific in terms of technical collaboration with the teams - which yet take several days to sort out.

Horner reckons that the matter was in hand, however - and he urged commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone to sort out the remaining sticking points.

"To be honest, I think it is just a matter of dotting the i's and crossing the t's. Pirelli has made a very good offer, it is down to Bernie to do his bit now and get on with it."

Horner also supported the idea of teams getting at least one test on Pirelli rubber at some point before the end of the year.

"It would be great to have a tyre test," he said. "It would be useful for the design of next year's car and winter preparations."

SOURCE: Autosport

MICHELIN IN LAST-DITCH BID TO LAND DEAL

Michelin is to make a last-ditch bid to try and win the supply deal for next year's Formula 1 tyres, AUTOSPORT has learned, with company representatives due to fly in to Istanbul on Sunday for a meeting with the teams.

Just days after it appeared that Pirelli was close to finalising contractual terms with the teams to secure its return to F1, Michelin is to make an 11th-hour offer of improved terms in a bid to win over the teams.

AUTOSPORT understands that a senior representative from the French tyre company will meet with all teams on Sunday morning in Turkey to propose the fresh offer.

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh confirmed that the meeting was taking place, despite teams having earlier this week all but agreed on taking the Pirelli route.

"I think the teams had narrowed it down to one direction, but the other supplier has offered to do something more than they were offered in the last two days," Whitmarsh told AUTOSPORT.

"Someone is coming here to speak to the teams to make an improved offer from what was previously their final offer."

Although Pirelli is the favoured route for many teams, some outfits are still keen going with Michelin because it has a proven record in F1.

Whitmarsh said that although some outfits were motivated by financial considerations - with Pirelli's offer believed to be 500,000 Euros less cost per team - he reckons it vital that other factors were taken into account.

"I think some teams want the cheapest possible supply, other teams want the highest quality of technical information and technical support," he said.

"We've got to design our cars now, and they are going to change fundamentally because of the loss of the double diffuser and other changes. In order to do that, we need to have the characteristics, specification and performance data of the tyres that will be on our car.

"If that is wrong, even for a supplier that is selling it to us for half a million less, the likely consequences is that we will be on to our second iteration of wheelbase or suspension geometry and we will have spent much more than half a million.

"Also we should not take for granted that a tyre is just round and black with a hole in the middle. We saw what happened in Indianapolis [in 2005] - you can easily get yourself into a situation where the tyres are not that durable. If you have that problem on Friday and start calling off races, then the half million saving will look quite small."

Despite the lateness of Michelin returning to the table, Whitmarsh said he was confident a firm deal would be in place with either them or Pirelli before the next race in Canada.

SOURCE: Autosport

TODT: TYRE CHOICE DOWN TO FIA, FOM

FIA president Jean Todt has insisted it will be motor racing's governing body and Formula 1's commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone - and not the teams - who will have the final say on which tyre supplier the sport has next year.

As the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) closes in on a deal with Pirelli for 2011, Todt has made it clear that the choice of tyre company is not something that can simply be left for the competitors to decide.

Teams have spent weeks trying to make their final choice on next year's tyre supplier and, despite a last-ditch bid by Michelin at the Turkish Grand Prix to try and win the deal, it is understood that progress is continuing on finalising terms with Pirelli.

However, Todt has now said that the matter is still likely to go out to tender - which could leave the situation unresolved for several more weeks.

In an interview with French newspaper Le Parisien, which was published on Tuesday, Todt emphasised who would make the final decision on tyres.

When asked if, in the wake of FOTA pushing on with the Pirelli option, the FIA had a say, Todt said: "Of course it does. And it [the FIA] will soon launch a tender, with the commercial promoter of the championship, Bernie Ecclestone.

"FOTA may suggest that it decides, but the strong man is not he who speaks the loudest."

SOURCE: Autosport

MICHELIN WARNS ABOUT TYRE DEAL DELAY

Michelin has warned that time is now 'very tight' to get a tyre supply deal in place for next season, as confusion continues to surround the ongoing situation for 2011.

Although F1 teams are closing in on finalising a deal with Pirelli, FIA president Jean Todt warned this week that it would be the governing body - and not the competitors - who will have the final say in which direction F1 takes.

And even though Pirelli is believed to be the preferred route, Michelin's competitors chief Nick Shorrock said on Thursday that his company has not yet been told that it is definitely out of the running.

Shorrock flew to the Turkish Grand Prix last month to speak to teams about Michelin's plans and offer for next year - and he said he had had no feedback from the teams about their thoughts since then.

"Since the trip that I made to Istanbul two weeks ago, the objective of which was to meet with the teams to talk about the details of our offer, I've had no feedback, but I am expecting some," Shorrock said at this weekend's Le Mans 24 Hours race.

"But time is getting very tight to develop a product that is consistent, delivers good performance and above all is safe. Michelin has vast experience of competition in different disciplines in F1, and endurance gives us a very strong base to develop whatever tyre. The sooner the better because then we can start working in earnest."

With Todt having suggested that the tyre matter will go out to tender, which could mean several more weeks before a final decision is taken, Shorrock reckons that tyre companies may struggle to get things sorted if they do not find out soon what the plan is.

"Within the next couple of weeks if there's not enough information then it's going to make life extremely hard for all parties," he said. "My past experience of F1 is around this time people start moving on to next year's car. If you're not on board in June/July time you will be struggling."

SOURCE: Autosport

PIRELLI TO BECOME F1's NEW TYRE SUPPLIER

The FIA has announced that Pirelli has been picked as Formula 1's sole tyre supplier for three years from the start of the 2011 season.

Pirelli had emerged as a strong favourite for the deal in the wake of Bridgestone's decision to pull out after this year's campaign.

"Pirelli has been selected as the single tyre supplier for the FIA Formula One World Championship for a period of three years, commencing in 2011," said an FIA statement.

"The sole supplier will undertake to strictly respect the sporting and technical regulations implemented by the FIA."

Fellow former F1 supplier Michelin ended up as Pirelli's closest rival for the deal, with Cooper Avon having been the other main contender.

Pirelli has 44 F1 wins to its credit from several previous periods in the sport, starting in the 1950s. It was last on the grid in 1991.

AUTOSPORT