Michelin vs Pirelli for 2017

Both companies are currently in talks with F1 bosses and putting together their bids to be the tyre supplier from 2017 onwards.

Michelin have laid some interesting proposals on the table that could fundamentally change the sport, if they are successful with their bid. They believe they can provide tyres that maintain their performance for the stated lifespan - unlike the Pirellis which degrade with successive laps. This in itself could be a major game changer. Pit stops would still be necessary, but you would no longer see drivers struggling for grip towards the end of a stint.

However, Michelin motorsport boss Pascal Couasnon also believes F1 should adopt bigger wheels - 18 inches in diameter, instead of the 13 inches currently used. The tyres would have a slightly smaller side wall, but still be markedly bigger than those currently used.

New technical regs are being worked on which would result in wider tyres too, requiring a major re-design of the cars anyway, so this is not as unlikely as it may seem.

This could result in cars that are up to 3 seconds a lap quicker, when also taking into account the different suspension set-ups required, which could allow them to run even lower ground clearances for improved aerodynamics.

Michelin promises tyres will make drivers "happy" if it replaces Pirelli

Naturally, Pirelli have reiterated their statement that they are only making tyres to the specification requested and that they could make longer-lasting tyres, if asked to, but it seems many doubt this claim.


Of course, the decision ultimately rests with Bernie Ecclestone, who is known to dislike Michelin and once stated, "you put their tyres on in January and take them off in December".

That said, if he is even half as smart as he thinks he is, he cannot have failed to realise that running higher deg tyres just makes teams run more conservatively and that the number of pit stops and the race spectacle in general has not changed much as a result. IMO its got worse, if anything...