Only two candidates for the WRC tire tender?

Is this a further sign that WRC is not in great shape? It appears that only two tire manufacturers responded to the FIA's call for tenders to become the exclusive tire supplier to the WRC for the period from 2025 to 2027.

The first surprise came from Pirelli. Chosen in 2020 to occupy this position between 2021 and 2024, the Italian brand did not wish to continue its involvement. To justify their decision, the yellows and reds assure that they achieved their objectives without necessarily explaining what this corresponded to. Is Pirelli disappointed with the way the championship has turned out?

The departure of Citroën at the end of the 2019 season has impoverished the competition and no replacement is on the horizon. Faced with this unappealing picture, did Mario Isola, Pirelli's motorsport director, judge that the WRC lacked interest at least until 2028? By withdrawing from the race, Pirelli could open the door to several candidates, but this will not be the case.

Hankook and Michelin in competition

When the call for tenders closed on September 15, word spread that three manufacturers had sent a file: Hankook, Michelin and MRF. It turns out that there are only two of them after all. MRF, which had already had ideas during the previous call for tenders, would not have responded for the future period, leaving the FIA ​​to choose between Michelin and Hankook. Questioned on the subject, Peter Thul, the promoter's sporting director, did not wish to speak, explaining that it was a call for tenders and that it was not his place to communicate on this subject.

For decision-makers, is the presence of a limited number of contenders good news or bad news? Should we cut the yellow and blue wire or the orange and black? The profile of these two firms and their past in WRC suggest that it will not be complicated to choose the one whose designation will be accompanied by as few problems as possible in a discipline which does not really need that at the moment. .

Everything will depend on the guidelines followed to make the selection. What will be the criterion? If it's experience, Michelin is the clear favorite. If this is based on the budget planned for communication or the payment of beautiful banners on the side of the special stages, will the Clermontois be at the required level? The response is expected to be taken on October 19.

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