10/09/2005
NEWS STORY
Following on from his company's press release, issued at Monza, Michelin boss, Edouard Michelin, has today warned that should the FIA proceed with plans to introduce a control tyre in 2008, the French manufacturer could withdraw from the sport at the end of next season.
"Should a control tyre be adopted for 2008, Michelin would seriously consider withdrawing from Formula One competition," Michelin told journalists at a press conference at Spa.
"Not because we are worried about the outcome of the call for tenders, provided of course that the decision-making process is sound and based on the technical feature of tyres," he continued, "but mainly because such a situation would simply negate the spirit of racing."
In 2005, Michelin has supplied 7 of the F1 teams, but this will drop to 5 in 2006 when WilliamsF1 and Toyota switch to Bridgestone - though at this time only the English team has been officially confirmed even though Michelin made it clear that Toyota will not be supplied with French rubber next season: "We will no longer supply Toyota or Williams," he said.
"So we could withdraw from Formula One in 2008. What about before that, I mean in 2007?" he continued "We will consider it very carefully and we will discuss the situation with our partner teams."
Referring to the FIA and its proposals, he continued: "We have today limited trust with the transparency and governance process of the FIA. Sometimes I wonder, is there really anything wrong with winning through fair means?" he added.
"Maybe there are other reasons behind the FIA proposals for a monopoly tyre," he continued. "We would like those behind these ideas in the FIA to be transparent about their intentions, and this is not the case."
Transparency is one of the core issues behind the proposed breakaway group headed by the five manufacturers behind the Grand Prix Manufacturers Association, which is working on proposals for the future of the sport with BAR, Jordan, McLaren, Minardi, Red Bull, Renault, Sauber, Toyota and WilliamsF1.