5 Companies in the Running – F1 Tyre Supply Saga Continues
The plot thickens. The news that five manufacturers are involved in talks with the FIA about who will supply Formula One tyres next season, suggests a decision is not immanent, as had early been suggested. We knew that Bridgestone wanted to walk away from F1 and that the FIA are trying to tempt them back. We also knew that Michelin had thrown its hat into the ring subject to the series taking a more ecological and competitive slant to its supply, which is currently run on a control tyre basis. Then Cooper staked its claim, followed by Pirelli who picked up on Michelin’s request for 18-inch wheels as an opportunity to show its strength in high performance sizes. The latest reports suggest Kumho is now promoting itself as a contender.