Pirelli and Michelin go head-to-head for 2017 Formula 1 tyre deal
Pirelli and Michelin will go head-to-head in the battle to become Formula 1's next tyre supplier, but Pirelli says it will not emulate Michelin in proposing its own rules
Pirelli motorsport boss Paul Hembery told reporters in Austria that there were only two bidders for the three-year contract from 2017 and independent sources confirmed to AUTOSPORT this was the case.
Michelin's bid is based on switching from 13-inch to 18-inch rims, as is currently the case with its supply to Formula E, and longer-lasting rubber.
However, Pirelli's proposal is more flexible, with the Italian supplier saying it will follow whatever rules the FIA chooses to enforce.
"Our bid is to follow the rules," said Hembery.
"An example would be an engine manufacturer coming in and proposing a five-litre V8 then acting surprised when the sport says it wants a 1.6-litre turbo.
"We can only reply to the rules and we've said we will supply what they want.
"Do you want to do 20-inch? We'll do 20-inch.
"Tyres that last the whole race? We'll do that.
"Tell us what you want and we'll do it.
"We do what the sport asks from us. It's not our position to change the rules.
"We can have suggestions, of course.
"At the moment it's very clear that the size of the tyre is set by the FIA together with the teams and the promoter and it sets a certain type of tyre.
"They are still asking us to help assist create a number of pitstops. If that changes, of course we can do that as well."
Pirelli took over from Bridgestone as F1's control tyre supplier at the start of the 2011 campaign.
Michelin left the championship at the end of 2006 after a five-season tyre war with Bridgestone.
Austrian GP: McLaren changes more engine parts on both F1 cars
Austrian GP: Friday F1 press conference
Foyt changes IndyCar number amid "symbolic references" debacle
AJ Foyt Racing has changed the number of Benjamin Pedersen's 2023 IndyCar entry from #88 to #55, after finding its two cars' numbers held "certain ideological and symbolic references".
Taylor: Reset button will be "worn out" but better than limp mode in Daytona 24
Ricky Taylor has zero worries over the pace of the new Acura ARX-06, but believes the new GTP cars will encounter several sensor issues over the course of the Daytona 24 Hours.
WEC assessing Sebring alternative for US round from 2024
The World Endurance Championship has admitted that it is examining alternatives to Sebring for the US round of the series from 2024.
Wehrlein hails "perfect" Porsche strategy, efficiency en route to Diriyah FE win
Pascal Wehrlein reckoned that Porsche's Diriyah E-Prix strategy and efficiency worked "perfectly" en route to claiming his second Formula E victory.
Why Vasseur relishes 'feeling the pressure' as Ferrari's F1 boss
OPINION: Fred Vasseur has spent only a few weeks as team principal for the Ferrari Formula 1 team, but is already intent on taking the Scuderia back to the very top. And despite it being arguably the most demanding job in motorsport, the Frenchman is relishing the challenge
The crucial tech changes F1 teams must adapt to in 2023
Changes to the regulations for season two of Formula 1's ground-effects era aim to smooth out last year’s troubles and shut down loopholes. But what areas have been targeted, and what impact will this have?
Are these the 50 quickest drivers in F1 history?
Who are the quickest drivers in Formula 1 history? LUKE SMITH asked a jury of experienced and international panel of experts and F1 insiders. Some of them have worked closely with F1’s fastest-ever drivers – so who better to vote on our all-time top 50? We’re talking all-out speed here rather than size of trophy cabinet, so the results may surprise you…
One easy way the FIA could instantly improve F1
OPINION: During what is traditionally a very quiet time of year in the Formula 1 news cycle, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been generating headlines. He’s been commenting on massive topics in a championship that loves them, but also addressing necessary smaller changes too. Here we suggest a further refinement that would be a big boon to fans
How can McLaren keep hold of Norris?
Lando Norris is no longer the young cheeky-chappy at McLaren; he’s now the established ace. And F1's big guns will come calling if the team can’t give him a competitive car. Here's what the team needs to do to retain its prize asset
What difference did F1's fastest pitstops of 2022 make?
While a quick pitstop can make all the difference to the outcome of a Formula 1 race, most team managers say consistency is more important than pure speed. MATT KEW analyses the fastest pitstops from last season to see which ones – if any – made a genuine impact
When F1 ‘holiday’ races kept drivers busy through the winter
Modern Formula 1 fans have grown accustomed to a lull in racing during winter in the northern hemisphere. But, as MAURICE HAMILTON explains, there was a time when teams headed south of the equator rather than bunkering down in the factory. And why not? There was fun to be had, money to be made and reputations to forge…
What Porsche social media frenzy says about F1’s manufacturer allure
Porsche whipped up a frenzy thanks to a cryptic social media post last week and, although it turned out to be a false alarm, it also highlighted why manufacturers remain such an important element in terms of the attraction that they bring to F1. It is little wonder that several other manufacturers are bidding for a slice of the action
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.