Michelin to shed 3 F1 teams for 2006


By Nick Sparkes
October 2 2005

Its no secret, Michelin are running too many Formula One teams. Its also no secret that Bridgestone are begging for some of those teams to return in time for the 2006 season. Infact its rumoured 3 Formula One teams will be confirmed this weekend as Bridgestone runners, one being Toyota.

With Michelin rumoured to be leaving Formula One, its come as no surprise that they wish to downsize their 2006 Champaign. Having ruled 70% (McLaren, Williams, Renault, BAR, Toyota, Sauber and Red Bull Racing) of the grid this season, Michelin are desperate to shed some of their teams to rivals Bridgestone, as the workload of five manufacture-based teams is having its toll.

 

Therefore its rumoured that Red Bull Racing, Williams and Toyota are set to leave the French company, joining rivals Bridgestone at the start of next season. Nick Shorrock, a Michelin F1 chief, commented; “We will be ending up with a reduction of partners for the 2006 season."

 

Toyota are under extreme pressure from the Japanese manufacture to switch to Bridgestone who supply all of their road cars, and a deal extending from their car production to their F1 racers has been rumoured for the last couple of months.

 

With Ferrari also welcoming any additional teams, it looks like a stronger Bridgestone package is on the cards for 2006.

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