Search begins for F1’s 2011 tyre supplier

Michelin and Goodyear, the most recent tyre brands in formula one, have played down suggestions they might take over from Bridgestone as F1’s exclusive supplier in 2011 and beyond.

A spokeswoman for Michelin’s North American headquarters said the French company is not interested in returning to formula one, after it pulled out at the end of the ‘tyre war’ era three years ago and then rowed with the governing FIA.

The American brand Goodyear left F1 at the end of 1998, following an ultra-successful three decades on the grid.

“We have no plans to re-enter F1,” spokesman Ed Markey told the Akron Beacon Journal, which like Goodyear is based in Akron, Ohio.

“However, we continually evaluate a wide range of opportunities to determine the best fit for our strategic direction and make decisions based on the best interests of the company,” he added.

Other reports said the Italian tyre maker Pirelli, having shown interest in obtaining the 2008-2010 tender, is also not likely to be interested in returning to F1.

News brief:

- Team Germany, featuring Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel, captured its third consecutive Nations Cup at the Race of Champions event in Beijing on Tuesday night, defeating Team Britain pairing Jenson Button and Andy Priaulx.

- Before the event at the Bird’s Nest Olympic stadium, 40-year-old Schumacher said his abortive return to F1 this year had been an “emotional” rather than a “rational decision”, and when asked if another attempt to return is likely, answered: “Right now, no.”

- F1 insiders believed he had already parted the team, but Force India on Tuesday confirmed that former boss Colin Kolles’ contract has now ended.

- Referring to McLaren – which has in the past featured great multiple world champions including Niki Lauda, Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna – Lewis Hamilton told reporters in Abu Dhabi last weekend: “I’m pushing my team harder than they’ve ever been pushed.”

- Sir Richard Branson is still refusing to confirm the open secret about his plans to leave Brawn and rename the new Manor formula one team ‘Virgin F1′ in 2010.  “In a month we’ll let you know,” the British billionaire said in a news conference in Italy earlier this week.

- A British media source says Ross Brawn has indicated his 2010 F1 car will feature a Red Bull-style high nose, while reports in the Italian press say the new Ferrari – internally code-named the 661 – will have a Brawn-like low nose.

- F1’s official logistics partner DHL has awarded its annual Fastest Lap Trophy to Sebastian Vettel, who captured the most fastest laps throughout the 2010 season ahead of his Red Bull teammate Mark Webber.  “It means a lot to me to have my achievements recognised in this way,” said the German.

source: GMM