Michelin has ruled out any possibility of a return to F1 while the sport insists on tyres that "destroy themselves for the show".

Though the FIA has begun the tender process for the supply of tyres to F1 from 2025, thus far only the current supplier, Pirelli has shown any interest.

Of course, the desire to 'level the field' rules out any hope of a potential tyre war, but many were still hoping for an alternative to the Italian manufacturer which has been the sole supplier since 2011.

French manufacturer Michelin first entered F1 in 1977, in competition with Goodyear, Dunlop and Bridgestone. Gradually taking the fight to Goodyear, Michelin withdrew at the end of 1984 having won 59 grands prix.

It returned again in 2001, now in competition with Bridgestone, but left again in 2006 in the aftermath of the infamous 2005 United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis.

Many would love to see the Michelin name return to F1, even as sole supplier, but the French company is adamant that as long as the sport continues to dictate that tyre degradation is necessary for "the show" it isn't interested.

"The question is, how do we leverage technology to have a good show?" Michelin CEO, Florent Menegaux tells The Drive. "And that's where F1 comes into play, because we have been discussing with them for a very long time... and we are not in agreement.

"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.

"Teams should be understanding tyre performance and capitalizing on the fact that the tyre is going to be performing from the first lap around the circuit to the last," he continues.

"The drivers will tell you they want to be at their maximum all the time. And when I hear the drivers in Formula 1, and I like Formula 1, but they say no no, it's not possible."

Acting on the wishes of the sport's powers that be, Pirelli provides tyres that degrade over a specific timeframe in a bid to improve the show. However, over the years there have been a number of cases where the tyres have been pushed to the limit, with dramatic consequences, most notably Baku 2021.

"First, we need to remind ourselves why Michelin is in racing," says Menegaux. "The first element is not about the show, it's not about the brand, it's about the technology. We are in racing because it's the best way to very quickly live test new technology. That's the first reason.

"And of course there are side benefits, a side benefit is the show. A side benefit is the brand awareness. But in terms of brand awareness, Michelin is one of the best-known brands in the world. We don't need to do this."

Between 2008 and 2014, Menegaux oversaw Michelin's involvement in various forms of racing, including WRC, WEC, Formula E, and MotoGP, and it is this experience that convinces him that drivers and their teams drivers should be able to understand tyre performance and use that knowledge in order to win.

"In MotoGP we provide tyres soft, medium, and hard for every type of circuit, every race. And every type of bike can win with soft, medium, or hard without changing.

"It's the way you set up your bike, the type of circuit, and the way the pilot operates," he adds. "So when we can influence the regulations so that performance is obtained while using far less materials and making a very good show, then it's ok.

"In MotoGP, even not the top racing teams can win. And they will tell you that the tyre we provide helps them to do that. That's why we are not back in Formula 1."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by ClarkwasGod, 24/04/2023 18:10

"@Max - Pirelli supply the WSBK series - now if they followed the same philosophythere, as they have to for F1, races would be somewhat truncated - it's all very well for an F1 tyre to "fall off the cliff" - there's four of 'em per car.
For a motorbike - that's not such a pleasant experience as you personally test the abrasion of tarmac/concrete/gravel, so, unsurprisingly, they direct their skills where it matters........... "

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2. Posted by kenji, 23/04/2023 0:56

"@ Max...now you have stirred the creative instincts with your suggestion of an annual PPTT, phonetically sounded as PeePeeTeeTee...and there lies the genesis of what the test would entail. Possibly clad in only a Tee and testing ones distance in a 'Pee Zero' climate controlled room. No I haven't missed my meds either. "

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3. Posted by Max Noble, 22/04/2023 14:59

"@Everyone - dang we all love our tyres! I’m crying at the idea of a week in Spain with a garage filled with super bikes, and the finest of coupes…! With 10,000 tyres for us all to burn through. I’m simply delighted to see the extent to which so many of us on PitPass actually pay attention to tyres… Which I think (sorry for typing for you…) is why we all get where Michelin is coming from…

yet three counter-points… First Pirelli are known throughout the world to people who do not care about tyres, but might have cars and thus buy tyres; two the FIA sends them cash dollars for the contract. To paraphrase myself… “The FIA pay Pirelli to sell to dumb people, who buy over priced tyres that are a total match for a five year old Michelin.” And third… for some vehicles (more especially motorbikes) Pirelli actually produce amazing tyres that are simply the best for that machine in 95% of situations… Do we love diversity or what!?

In other news Pirelli F1 tyres still die after 100Km of use and are irritating everyone, fans, drivers, teams, and Michelin.

…do you think after all this Pirelli would fund the PitPass tyre test… if we all promise to use them on our road cars, and bikes, for the next 100Km…? :-)

"

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4. Posted by @R1Racing71, 21/04/2023 21:11

"Diablos for me on the R1 - nothing comes close.
By the way I totally get Michelins point - eloquently made."

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5. Posted by overdriver, 21/04/2023 11:27

"@Max et al, living in Mallorca I am quite prepared to undertake the suggested Spanish testing on your behalf - thereby saving everyone time and money. However, as the days of Sebring Sprite, MGB, TVR Tiger Supercat etc. are long since gone, is it oK for me to be supplied with appropriate rubber for the wife's Polo or the Seat Leon estate or for the possibly-soon-to-be-acquired 1997 Skoda Felicia pick-up?
Re. Formula 1 tyre longevity I am, once again, reminded of Jim Clark's 4 GPs on the same set of Dunlops!"

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6. Posted by Greg, 21/04/2023 10:12

"@Max Noble... Will be trying other brands here for the next tyres. Originals were Bridgestone got Pirelli at the tyre store in the town and next not sure. Looking at Michelin or another European brand. Test in Spain would be write up my alley."

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7. Posted by Spindoctor, 21/04/2023 6:42

"I think the problem for Pirelli is one of "Brand Recognition", rather than the quality of their road tyres. Superficially, F1 should be an absolute gift from a marketing perspective. We see lots of Pirelli branding and hear numerous name-checks throughout a weekend's F1 coverage.
Unfortunately, a lot of the commentary about their tyres is pretty negative: poor grip, short life, hard to warm up etc. These negative impressions of their race tyres must inevitably cross-over, in the minds of many viewers, to their road tyres.
What may have seemed initially a marketing "win" has become bit of a millstone."

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8. Posted by kenji, 21/04/2023 0:12

"@ Superbird 70...A very apt point. Would like to hear the FIA explain how their 'green' principles are trashed with throw away tyres as per the status quo!!! Seems like a complete contradiction in practice...."

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9. Posted by kenji, 21/04/2023 0:08

"@Max....I ran Conti's and at times Pirellis on my Porsche with great results though it was a long time back and compounds have changed markedly. Latterley though I switched to Conti's on my TT's as they were simply the best all round tyres for the driving conditions I normally encountered. The supply field is wide here in Oz as you well know when it comes to tyres for normal road use and very few people are able to distinguish certain elements other than longevity!. Choice is usually based on 'how long will they last'."

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10. Posted by ClarkwasGod, 20/04/2023 12:25

"@ Max - I tried those, and Bridgestone (had a monstrous tankslapper with those). The nearest to the Diablo was a Metzler, but I think they're owned by Pirelli, and use their "old" compounds. Conti GP 5000's are on my bikes, though - luvverly tyres.

As for a tyre test - definitely - count me in!!!! Would need to be a test combined with Cerveza sampling."

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11. Posted by Superbird70, 20/04/2023 11:26

"Yes, nothing says "road relevance" like a tire degrading after 40km."

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12. Posted by Max Noble, 20/04/2023 10:57

"@Greg - Agree Pirelli are still a top tyre. Just top fifteen, not top five. I’m 100% confident if you tried a top of the range Michelin it would be a better performing tyre in the majority of conditions. Here in Australia we have some “no name” Korean tyres that will cheerfully last 100,000Km. They have minimal turn-in, minimal dry grip, and near-zero wet grip, all while having NVH figures off the scale… but heck they last!

@ClarkwasGod notes how Pirelli tyres worked well on his Ducati - again a good match, but part of me thinks that a top line Michelin, or Continental *might* be better… Be great to hold a week long PitPass tyre test in Spain, all expenses met by someone other than us naturally…!!
"

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13. Posted by Greg, 20/04/2023 4:26

"I have a set of Pirelli RFT on my mini countryman here in Italy. Over 50,000km on them no issues at all. Need to change our this summer here but. Not sure what I will put or or change brands at all. "

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14. Posted by KKK, 19/04/2023 22:11

"If this is the case, Pirelli cant win in the world market as a tyre supplier....so they sell tyres that dont last ? To be honest, having tyres that dont last just to spice up the "show" is idiotic. Pirelli should tell the FIA and Liberty to go jump."

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15. Posted by Defiant, 19/04/2023 16:10

"Here! here! Michelin. Well said.

@kenji, great idea, I'm in.

It really is a shame that Fiberty (stolen and keeping using cause its awesome, thanks Spindoctor) don't understand what the fans and drivers actually want."

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F1 "show" of no interest to Michelin

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