“We don’t need to do this,” Michelin dismisses any possibility of an F1 return

Michelin last produced tyres for Formula One in 2006, after which they were replaced by Pirelli

“We don’t need to do this,” Michelin dismisses any possibility of an F1 return

Michelin tyres via CrashNet

Michelin, a renowned tyre manufacturer, first entered Formula One in the 1970s. Their most recent stint was between 2001 and 2006. While Pirelli has been the most recent long-term manufacturer, its products have been subject to scrutiny with regard to reliability in recent times. F1 is getting set to welcome new bids for a new exclusive tyre supply deal in 2025, and there were reports of potential interest from the French firm.

Speaking to The Drive in an interview, CEO Florent Menegaux provided further insight into the basis of their reluctance to re-enter the sport. He said, “The question is, how do we leverage technology to have a good show? Because they say to have the show, you have to have tyres that destroy themselves. And I think we don’t know how to do this. So, we cannot agree.” Menegaux is strongly against the use of degrading rubber, and believes that consistent performance should be a priority in comparison to ‘a show’.

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He went on to share his ideology of motorsport, where teams should understand F1 tyre performance and take advantage of the fact that tyres are going to last for the whole duration of the race. He believes drivers want to be at their maximum at all times, and taking the degradation of tyres out of the picture will facilitate that notion.

It is due to this aspect of leveraging technology and sacrificing consistent performance for the sake of entertainment that the company is unwilling to make a return, despite the FIA recently opening the tyre render process from 2025 to 2027. He believes that the pinnacle of motorsport should showcase technology and engineering at its finest, rather than chase entertainment.

Related: Stefano Domenicali ‘nervous’ as F1’s credibility is at stake with the 2022 cost cap report

Pirelli faces competition as the future supplier from 2025

Pirelli tyres via The Mirror
Pirelli tyres via The Mirror

During its time in F1, Michelin had some notable successes, including winning the constructors’ championship in 2005 with Renault and providing tyres for drivers who won a total of 43 races. Michelin was also known for its innovative tyre technology, such as its run-flat tyres, which allowed drivers to continue racing even after sustaining a puncture, something which is an obstacle for Pirelli’s tyres today, a notable instance being Max Verstappen’s tyre blowing out in Baku 2021.

Pirelli has been a tried and trusted manufacturer, with the FIA being satisfied with their products for nearly 2 decades. Despite producing several categories of tyres in the past, the present day sees 3 main compounds- soft, medium, and hard. The tyres they produce degrade based on weight distribution, braking, and track temperature. They also facilitate pit stop strategies to be an exciting aspect and are crucial to any team’s race.

Pirelli has secured a contract until 2025 and is in favour of continuing, but could face competition from the likes of Hankook, who bid for the last tender in 2020, and Continental. The FIA has very clear regulations that they expect to be followed. These include being subject to a 10% increase in torque, which increase electrification. The FIA also has environmental objectives that must be satisfied, namely being sustainable, using recycled material, and reducing the detail of carbon footprint. They must also play into the interests of F1’s partner, Liberty Media, and preserve strategic interests. With the growth of the sport, it is very likely that Pirelli will face several competitors and will have to put its best deal forward.

Despite the benefits of tyres that do not degrade and run after punctures, Formula One will not deviate from their preferences in the foreseeable future as degrading tyres play a huge role in chassis development, implementation of strategy, and even an element of surprise, which is what makes the sport as exciting as it is today.

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