Michelin Replace Vasselon; Dupasquier to Retire in '06

Michelin's head of the Formula One project, Pascal Vasselon, will be replaced next season while the company's head of competition, Pierre Dupasquier, told Atlas F1 he is set for retirement in 2006.

Vasselon has been leading the F1 project since Michelin made its return to the sport, in 2001. But the Frenchman is now set to move to a new position in the company, and according to Dupasquier, he will be leaving for the United States in a few months.

According to Dupasquier, Vasselon is being replaced after Michelin decided he will not be replacing Dupasquier when the latter retires, some time in 2006.

"They told me that since I am not going to stay at Michelin forever, they anticipate me to leave some time in 2006, and they say that they don't want both of us to leave at the same time," Dupasquier told Atlas F1 in an exclusive interview, published today.

"They decided that Pascal would not be the one to replace me [as head of competition], and therefore they would like me to train the new people for the one or two coming years, whereas Pascal is going to the United States in a few months."

Dupasquier said Vasselon's replacement is expected to be announced this week, but he did not know yet who would replace him as head of competition when he retires. The 67-year-old has passed retirement age, according to Michelin policy, but said he would stay at the company as long as he is needed.

"I believe I am still of some help for the company," he said. "But definitely we are looking at the future right now, preparing succession, moving people around."

Read the full interview with Pierre Dupasquier in this week's issue