Michelin rule out 2020 F1 return

French tyre manufacturer Michelin have announced that they will not apply to become F1’s sole tyre supplier in 2020.

Michelin have not produced tyres for F1 since Bridgestone took over as the sole supplier in 2007.

Pirelli took up the mantle in 2011 and have been F1’s tyre supplier ever since.

Michelin were at the centre of one of the biggest controversies in the history of Formula One, at the 2005 United States Grand Prix, when all of the teams running Michelin tyres retired before the race start, due to safety problems.

Ralf Schumacher experienced a scary crash at turn 13 due to a Michelin tyre failure which led to the tyres being deemed unsafe, leading to all 14 of the Michelin runners pulling into the pits at the end of the warm up lap.

13-inch tyres are required by 2020, and this is the stumbling block for Michelin, who are keen to provide 18-inch tyres.

A Michelin statement read: "It is well known that Michelin is already engaged in a wide range of world-class motor sports such as MotoGP, WEC, WRC, Formula E and more.

“This unique and very broad portfolio corresponds to the vision of the Michelin Group: indeed Michelin is competing to innovate for the benefit of its customers and sustainable mobility.

"As far as Formula 1 is concerned, 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.”