Sauber switches to Michelin

The Swiss outfit has made no secret of the fact that it believes its form to have suffered this year because of the lack of single-lap qualifying pace from Bridgestone - especially at the start of the year. Developments later in the season helped lift the team nearer the front of the grid, but it was not enough to convince the team to stay with the Japanese manufacturer for next season.

Team boss Peter Sauber said: "I'm very pleased that we were able to sign this contract with Michelin and I'm looking forward to a successful co-operation. At the same time I would like to thank Bridgestone for a good partnership during the past six years."

Michelin competitions boss Pierre Dupasquier said: "As we demonstrated in 2004, our technology makes a significant contribution to the performance of F1 cars equipped by Michelin. I look forward to enabling Sauber Petronas to benefit from this progress."

The arrival of Sauber to the Michelin camp currently means that there are now seven teams scheduled to run on the company's tyres in 2005 - with only Ferrari, Minardi and Jordan remaining on Bridgestone. This would, in theory, hand the French tyre manufacturer a massive advantage in terms of testing mileage and feedback but increase its manufacturing commitments.

Under F1's current regulations, manufacturers are only obliged to supply 60 percent of the grid - which means that Michelin's acceptance of Sauber probably means that there will be a further change before the start of next year.

The most obvious possibility is that Michelin may end its association with Jaguar - whether through the team not competing next year or ending its contract because the outfit has been sold to new owners, thereby forcing the need for a new contract.

There is also growing speculation that Toyota may also be considering defecting from Michelin to Bridgestone following a disappointing campaign. Such a move may be of benefit to Bridgestone, which has made no secret of the fact that it wants more teams on board to help deliver valuable testing data.

That scenario could depend, however, on the outcome of talks between F1 team bosses about plans for a major testing cut-back next year - which could force Bridgestone and Michelin to come up with regulations or tyres that do not require massive development programmes.

The confirmation of Sauber's switch also marks a notable departure from its close association with engine supplier Ferrari - which was believed in the past to be a key reason in why it stuck with Bridgestone.