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Michelin to pull out of Formula One after 2006 season
(AP)
Updated: 2005-12-15 13:53
PARIS (AP) -- French tire maker Michelin said Wednesday it was pulling out of
Formula One after the 2006 season, leaving Japanese-owned Bridgestone as the
sport's only tire supplier.
Michelin's future in F1 had been in doubt since all seven of the French
manufacturer's two-car teams pulled out of the race at Indianapolis on June 19
because of concerns over the safety of the tires. Only six of 20 F1 cars -- all
equipped with Bridgestone tires 錕斤拷 raced that day.
Only six cars ran
in that race, all equipped with Bridgestone tires.
The FIA, the world governing body of motor racing, and many teams have been
pressing for a single tire manufacturer as a moneysaving measure. Michelin has
argued that one supplier would reduce competition, could profit one team more
than another and not necessarily cut costs.
After consulting with carmakers, Michelin said a move to a single tire
supplier was "inevitable."
"In this context, continuing to make long-term investments in Formula One no
longer presents the same interest," a Michelin statement said.
In the same statement, managing director Edouard Michelin criticized
officials who run Formula One -- the FIA, and Formula One commercial rights
holder Bernie Ecclestone.
"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," Edouard Michelin said.
"For Michelin, leaving Formula One in no way represents abandoning motor
sports, to which the Michelin brand has been committed for 117 years," he said.
"If Formula One's ways of functioning were to be significantly modified,
Michelin would not hesitate in proposing its services to the different teams
once again."
In a statement, the FIA applauded the move to a single tire
builder.
"The competing teams have unanimously requested the FIA to
impose a single tire supplier in Formula One," the FIA said. "A single tire
supplier will undoubtedly make Formula One fairer, safer and less expensive for
the teams but, above all, it will avoid a repetition of the problems which arose
at the 2005 U.S. Grand Prix."
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