Michelin: Deterioration of F1 tyres for 'the show' is not for us

Ahead of the deadline to submit a tender offer Michelin confirmed that they re not interested and said so in the following statement:

“We have received the technical specifications on which the FIA call for tenders has been issued and we have studied it carefully. Michelin's recommendations for a switch to 18-inch tyres, as in Formula E, have been taken up by the authorities, which we are delighted about."

“However, the demand for the supply of 13-inch tyres for the 2020 season alone, as well as the deterioration of performance as a part of the show, goes against our principles of efficient resource management and respect for the technology of a sustainable tyre."

"Michelin has therefore decided to refrain from any response to this invitation to tender and will continue to follow, in conjunction with its governing bodies, the developments of Formula 1 in the coming years," added the Michelin statement.

Michelin have had an illustrious history in Formula 1 which began at the British Grand Prix as part of the nascent Renault turbo project.

Since then 28 teams have used Michelin tyres in a 215 grand prix stretch, winning 102 times and starting from pole on 111 occasions before pulling out of the F1 at the end of the 2006 season.

Goodyear shod cars scored a record 368 grand prix victories, current exclusive tyre supplier Pirelli scored their 190th grand prix last Sunday in Belgium.