Pirelli 'seriously considering' F1 bid

With the FIA having released earlier this week details of the tender for F1's control tyre after next season, there had been fresh speculation that Pirelli could go up against Bridgestone and possibly Michelin to try and gain the contract.

Paul Hembery, Pirelli's motorsport director, confirmed in this week's Autosport that the company are evaluating the possibility of making an F1 comeback.

Pirelli were last involved in the sport from 1989 to 1991, with their last victory coming at the 1991 Canadian Grand Prix.

"We are seriously considering a bid to enter Formula One when the control tyre comes," said Hembery. "As well as that, we are looking at Le Mans prototypes and rally raids as well.

"There's no timescale on any of this, we are considering all of our options. I don't mind what we do, all I have to do is make sure that whichever way we go, we do a good job."

Bridgestone are thought certain to apply for the tender, while Michelin are still undecided about whether to go for it.

Nick Shorrock, Michelin's head of F1 operations, said: "Our position remains the same: we will look at the call to tender and consider our options.

"At the moment we have technical regulations for 2006, but what happens in 2008 is not clear."