Michelin ’disappointed’ with F1’s tyre situation

Michelin has revealed it wants to improve F1’s tyre situation.

While the sport’s current supplier Pirelli appears to retain the backing of Bernie Ecclestone and most teams, many drivers and spectators look back fondly on the days when it was possible to push throughout a race rather than ’save tyres’.

Michelin, last in F1 a decade ago in competition with Bridgestone, admits it is also in that camp.

"We are disappointed where it (F1) is today, tyre-wise," admitted the French marque’s motor sport director Pascal Couasnon.

Michelin this week confirmed it has lodged its application by the June 17 deadline to be considered for F1’s 2017-2019 contract as sole supplier.

But it wants the sport to move from its current 13-inch to 18-inch wheel rims, and also adopt a "drive to the max" rather than show-oriented and tyre-saving philosophy.

Cousanon said: "We want to be coherent with our proposals and offer the opportunity to the teams and the drivers to have a tyre that enables everyone to express themselves and drive to the max."

Most insiders agree that F1 is likely to stick with the Pirelli philosophies beyond 2016, but Couasnon explained: "If you want to be credible and consistent then you cannot complain or comment if you don’t bring solutions.

"So it has made sense for me to say if we have ideas, then let’s go and propose these ideas and we’ll see if people are interested or not," he is quoted by the Daily Mail.