Michelin leave Formula 1 at the end of 2006

Ed · Post by Ed » Thu Dec 15, 2005 1:16 am

Michelin have confirmed that they will not extend their involvement in Formula 1 beyond the 2006 season.

This was an expected decision following the FIA's move to have a single tyre supplier in Formula 1 from 2008. A move that Michelin objected to.

Edouard Michelin said:

This decision is the result of profound differences between Michelin?s long-standing sporting philosophy and the way Formula One is managed by the regulating authorities, which no longer provide a clear and sustainable environment to justify long-term investments.
For Michelin, leaving Formula One in no way represents abandoning motorsports, to which the Michelin brand has been committed for 117 years. If F1?s ways of functioning were to be significantly modified, Michelin would not hesitate in proposing its services to the different teams once again.
No matter what, Michelin will do everything possible to ensure that its partners receive the best service and the best tyres to help them win during the 2006 season, as has always been the case since our return to Formula One in 2001.

Full Statement

rah · Post by **rah** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 8:48 am

This certainly makes the decision of Williams and Toyota to switch to bridgestones a lot clearer.

JayVee · Post by **JayVee** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 10:33 am

Even though I knew this was coming, it is sad to read that it is now confirmed. The tyre competition created an extra layer of excitement.

I just hope that the 'special' relationship between Bridgestone and Ferrari doesn't translate into tyres designed for Ferrari in 2007

We still have 2006 to witness another Bridgestone humiliation

Ed · Post by Ed » Thu Dec 15, 2005 1:20 pm

The FIA has responded to Michelin's decision. A statement read:

The FIA has noted Michelin?s announcement of its withdrawal from Formula One at the end of 2006.

Everyone in Formula One will be most grateful to Michelin for the efforts they have made and for their courtesy in giving the necessary full year?s notice.

The competing teams have repeatedly and unanimously requested the FIA to impose a single tyre supplier in Formula One. This has been agreed for 2008, but Michelin?s announcement makes it probable for 2007. The teams will certainly be glad of this.

A single tyre supplier will undoubtedly make Formula One fairer, safer and less expensive for the teams but, above all, it will avoid a repetition of the problem which arose at the 2005 US Grand Prix.

Kapel · Post by **Kapel** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 3:10 pm

I hope to see Goodyear return to F1,this way no1 will have an advantage in 2008

JayVee · Post by **JayVee** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 10:23 am

You are not seeing in Red

But it is a very good idea but you really think that will happen ??

A bidding process and the FIA ???? Well you can imagine what happens behind those closed doors!!

Kapel · Post by **Kapel** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 3:22 pm

I neve saw in red JayVee

I believe in them & will till Michael retires

On tyres, i think it would be unfair the 6 teams on Michelin to suddenly switch to Bridgestone.
BUt suprisingly all teams had asked for a single tyre supplier from 2007

I seriously hope Goodyear is back!

JayVee · Post by **JayVee** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 9:35 am

Kapel wrote:I neve saw in red JayVee I believe in them & will till Michael retires

On tyres, i think it would be unfair the 6 teams on Michelin to suddenly switch to Bridgestone.
BUt suprisingly all teams had asked for a single tyre supplier from 2007
I seriously hope Goodyear is back!

But the red slowly changes to orange mid season and onto silver by the end of it

Kapel · Post by **Kapel** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 2:16 pm

Orange????

mlittle · Post by **mlittle** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 2:27 pm

JayVee wrote:Even though I knew this was coming, it is sad to read that it is now confirmed. The tyre competition created an extra layer of excitement.

I just hope that the 'special' relationship between Bridgestone and Ferrari doesn't translate into tyres designed for Ferrari in 2007

We still have 2006 to witness another Bridgestone humiliation

I wouldn't worry; Michelin will most likely go out on top when 2006 goes by. Hopefully Bridgestone will win actual races, and not 6-car test sessions.

Ed · Post by Ed » Mon Oct 23, 2006 9:27 pm

The 2006 Brazilian Grand Prix was Michelin final race as they leave the sport for the second time.

Michelin have competed in 216 world championship grands prix, from 1977-1984 and from 2001-2006. During that time it has scored 102 victories with seven teams and 20 drivers en route to amassing nine world championship titles (five for drivers, four for constructors).

When the FIA announced that F1 would have a single tyre supplier in 2008, Michelin decided to pull out at the end of the 2006 season.

Michelin?s motorsport director Fr?d?ric Henry-Biabaud said:

F1 is supposed to be competition in its purest form and you eliminate a key part of that if you remove the rivalry between tyre manufacturers. I don?t see the appeal in participating in a series on those terms. We compete in F1 to prove we are able to give our partner teams a performance edge. If you are in the sport on your own, people will talk about tyres only if some kind of problem arises. As Edouard Michelin used to say, ?In an arena where its motorsport products finish simultaneously first and last, there is no marketing value?.

Nick Shorrock, Michelin F1 director said:

The main thing today, naturally, is to compliment Fernando Alonso and Renault on retaining their two world titles and to thank all our partners for the excellent work they have put in throughout the year. Our main rival was clearly very fast today, but one or two incidents worked in our favour during the race?s early stages. That?s the nature of this sport.
?This year?s world championship was decided not today but over the course of a long, 18 -race season and Michelin has proved the excellence of its products throughout the campaign. We were determined to go out in style in our farewell F1 season and I think the results speak for themselves.?
?I would like to extend my gratitude to all Michelin team members at the track, in the factory, at the research centre and within our logistics group. Every one of them has played a part in our many successes.

Michel Rollier - Michelin CEO said

I am very proud of the Michelin team, which knew how to fulfil the needs of Fernando Alonso and Renault. This has been an exciting season and the fierce competition between the two tyre companies provided an extra element of interest. I would like to thank Fernando Alonso and the whole Renault team for the confidence they have shown in us throughout the campaign - and also for helping to push us to such heights. At this time, naturally, my thoughts turn to the late Edouard Michelin who was always the driving force behind Michelin's participation in Formula One. I would like to dedicate this year's double title success to him.