Michelin could consider a return to Formula 1 as early as 2014
Guest of France 3 Auvergne, Pascal Couasnon, the new competition director at Michelin, reconsiders his position on a potential return to Formula 1. This return should allow the Clermont-Ferrand company to prove its capacity for innovation or, as was the case earlier, to show that its technology can compete with that of its competitors.
Michelin played an important role in the history of Formula 1. Entering the competition in 1977, the manufacturer helped win 6 combined drivers’ and constructors’ titles until their departure in 1984. Bibendum made its return to F1 in 2001, alongside the Renault team, and in six years also managed to secure 4 drivers’ and constructors’ titles. However, with the dawn of budget reductions and FIA’s – Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile – desire to cut costs, the decision was made to retain only one manufacturer for the 2007 season.
In disagreement with FIA’s policy and not wanting to be the only manufacturer on the track, Michelin decided to withdraw from Formula 1 at the 2006 Brazilian Grand Prix and leave the position of sole manufacturer to Bridgestone, its main competitor.
Since then, Michelin has remained committed to several competitions, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Dakar Rally, and the Rally (notably through its subsidiary BF Goodrich), but it had ruled out a return to Formula 1 until recently.
Indeed, the new director of competition at Michelin states that his perception has evolved. Interviewed on the show “Match Retour” on France 3 Auvergne, Pascal Couasnon wants to see Michelin evolve in championships that allow the brand to prove its technological innovation capacity, and in any case when it presents a challenge: We are committed to competition when it makes sense. Making sense means allowing us to learn and demonstrate things for better mobility for tomorrow. This can happen when there is competition with other manufacturers, but it’s also when the regulations require us to make technological advances, which also suits us in terms of challenge.
We remember that Michelin wanted at the time to be able to measure itself against its competitors in order to prove conclusively that the technology developed by the French manufacturer was of high quality. When the journalist asks if Formula 1 would then be an interesting competition for Michelin again, Pascal Couasnon is open: « If F1 changes its regulations and it makes technical sense in terms of tires, we will be ready to respond to a call [for tender]. »
Championships allowing only one manufacturer are therefore no longer a barrier to entry as long as there is a challenge to tackle: « A single brand is not a diktat, what matters is that the competition makes sense, allowing us to make progress and demonstrate our technology. If we can do it through regulations without other manufacturers facing us, why not. »
Pirelli responded alone to the 2010 tender, thereby signing a three-year contract with the FIA. A new tender will therefore be launched by the FIA for the 2014 season. Pirelli has already shown interest, but Michelin no longer rules out the possibility of making a return to Formula 1: « Maybe in 2014, maybe later… » confirms Michelin’s director of competition.
