Two In Frame For F1 Tyre Contract
American-based tyre manufacturer Cooper and the French firm Michelin have emerged as the frontrunners to become the official suppliers for F1 next season in place of the departing Bridgestone.
F1 needs to find a new supplier after Japanese company Bridgestone said that it would be pulling out at the end of this season after 14 years in the sport. Bridgestone has controversially been the sole supplier since 2007, after competing against Goodyear in 1997 and 1998 and Michelin from 2001 to 2006.
A spokesman for Cooper stated: ‘As a major motorsport tyre manufacturer Cooper Tire, through its Avon Tyres Motorsport operation, has been approached to supply Formula One. The company is in discussion with the relevant parties and cannot comment further at this stage.’
Michelin has also been approached about a possible return, with the French company reportedly wanting a switch to bigger wheel rims to suit the lower profile tyres that it already produces for sports car racing.
‘Michelin has made a proposal that is under evaluation to make sure that it is the best proposal from the technical point of view and the commercial point of view,’ Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali stated at the weekend.
‘On the other hand I know that there is a possible discussion to have another tyre competitor who can be ready to come for next year. I think we will know something more, I would say 100 percent, by Barcelona (the Spanish Grand Prix on 9th May). So by Barcelona the situation of tyres should be almost clear if not defined.’
