Michelin to quit F1 after 2006.

Formula One appears to have got its way in pursuit of a single tyre supplier for the future, with the announcement that Michelin will not be extending its involvement in the top flight beyond the end of next season.

Having expressed its concern about tighter and tighter controls being placed on the role of tyres in the top flight, the French company has decided that its raison d'etre in F1 no longer exists and, with the sport seemingly headed toward a single manufacturer - as per the latest draft regulations for the future - has opted to announce its resignation, rather than waiting to be pushed out, as many felt would be the case, particularly after this year's USGP boycott.

"Michelin considers Formula One to be a highly technical motorsport in which the tyre is a very influential component in the scope of the performance of the vehicle," a company statement insisted, "The teams' freedom to choose their own tyres is essential. Therefore, competition between at least two tyre manufacturers is critical, as this provides the basis for real competition between tyre suppliers which, in turn, stimulates progress for the public's greater interest."

Michelin says it had consulted current partners McLaren, BMW Sauber, Renault and Honda, as well as previous customer Sir Frank Williams, before taking its decision but, with the future direction of the sport's tyre regulations apparently set in motion - and what it sees as constant changes to the rulebook being made 'without warning' - claimed that planning for the future had been made 'completely impossible' and, because of that, felt that long-term investment in Formula One 'no longer presented the same interest'.

"This decision is the result of profound differences between Michelin's long-standing sporting philosophy and the way Formula One is managed by the regulating authorities, which no longer provide a clear and sustainable environment to justify long-term investments," commented Edouard Michelin.

"For Michelin, leaving Formula One in no way represents abandoning motorsports, to which the Michelin brand has been committed for 117 years. If F1's ways of functioning were to be significantly modified, Michelin would not hesitate in proposing its services to the different teams once again."

Michelin's withdrawal at the end of 2006 will almost certainly bring into play a single tyre supplier in 2007, and the company has said that it will monitor the outcome with interest. The theory that a single supplier would negate the need for greater tyre development - and thus the amount of money being thrown at testing by the teams in pursuit of a small advantage.

Today's announcement has been made to satisfy the FIA's required notice period for technical partners, and to provide a maximum amount of preparation time to Michelin's partner teams, although none had a firm commitment to use the French company's tyres beyond 2006.

"We would have liked to have extended our long-term Formula One involvement, because the demands of Formula One - as well as the collaboration with partner teams - have been such a source of progress and fruitful exchanges," Michelin confirmed, "No matter what, Michelin will do everything possible to ensure that its partners receive the best service and the best tyres to help them win during the 2006 season, as has always been the case since our return to Formula One in 2001."