Michelin boss denounces Formula 1 philosophy: 'Let the car fall apart!'

It looks like we won't have to expect Michelin as a tyre supplier in Formula 1 for the time being. Speaking to F1-Insider, Michelin boss Matthieu Bornadel has spoken out harshly about what he believes is the wrong philosopher's view of Formula 1.

The FIA gave other tyre makers the opportunity to apply as potential new suppliers. All eyes were on France's Michelin. Would the brand of yesteryear make a return to t Formula 1? It was in 2006 when Michelin rubber last graced a Formula 1 track. But 17 years later, Formula 1 and the tyre supplier do not seem to be a match. The philosophy of the racing class does not suit the French, and Bornadel does not leave his thoughts on F1 unspoken.

"We want to tell our story, the Michelin philosophy. We are a company that provides quality, durable tyres." The latter is where it already goes wrong, according to the Frenchman. "There is only half a line about sustainability in the tender. They don't care. We could set the tyres on fire afterwards, and nobody would say anything about it."

Tyre wear

But there is another thorny issue for Michelin. A large part of strategy in Formula 1 is linked to tyre wear. If the tyres did not wear out, a major part of F1 disappears. Degrading tyres also goes against the grain of the tyre brand, which wants to create the best tyres with as little wear as possible. "It's all about the show and not about making us look good," Bornadel sighs. "When we go into a race, we want to come out of it looking good and not come across as a company delivering a bad product."

The Michelin boss comes up with a catchy example: "If we think the show gets better when the product gets less, why don't we let the cars fall apart as the race progresses? On the first lap, you lose a wing, then a tyre...," the director thinks in solutions. As a result of Bornadel's thoughts, Pirelli currently holds the best cards to remain Formula 1's tyre supplier.