Michelin submits its application for 2017

It had been several weeks since Michelin had moved forward sI intend to return in the premier discipline of motorsport, under certain conditions, in particular the transition to 18-inch diameter tires. In Monaco, Pascal Couasnon, director of Michelin Motorsport, told AUTOhebdo that this “Changing diameter can be an interesting challenge for engineers, but also for adjustments, which would allow the cards to be redistributed. » (see Ah n°2013).

It was this Wednesday that applications to respond to the current call for tenders for the 2017-2019 period were to be submitted, and the manufacturer from Clermont-Ferrand (Puy-de-Dôme) confirmed its proposals to the FIA, as stated on his Twitter account. This application will be well supported with the 18-inch tire project (a diameter already used in Formula E, where Michelin is the sole supplier). The submitted files will begin the first part of the selection process, lasting until July 17, by having to meet the technical and safety specifications set by the FIA.

The game is still far from won for Michelin, in particular in the face of opposition expressed by certain teams (who mention an increase in costs with the transition to the 18-inch diameter) or even by Bernie Ecclestone who had defended the work of Pirelli.