Michelin has confirmed that it has submitted a bid to become Formula One's sole tire supplier for the three-year period from 2017 to 2019.
Pirelli, currently in the middle of its second three-year contract, is also reapplying for a third term in the role. The deadline for the tender process is this week.
Michelin released the following statement on Twitter:
we have submitted our #F1 proposal to @fia. 18 inch of course and #drivetothemaxtire for the driver pleasure #totalperformace
— MICHELIN Motorsport (@michelin_sport) June 16, 2015
As the tweet made clear, Michelin is pushing for racier tires, and it wants to have a low-profile size, which would gel with what it does in categories such as Formula E and WEC.
However, F1 insiders remain unconvinced about that route. The wheels would be heavier and it would require all teams to undertake a total redesign of brake and suspension systems.
There are also commercial aspects to the decision, as Pirelli has been paying large sums for trackside advertising, and clearly Michelin would be expected to match that commitment.
Michelin was previously involved in the sport from 1977 to 1984, and again from 2001 to 2006, winning a total of 102 races. Bridgestone was the sole tire supplier from 2007 to 2010, before its withdrawal led to Pirelli returning to the sport.
