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Michelin and Pirelli Battle for F1 Supplier Role

Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali hinted on Sunday that Avon-Cooper and Bridgestone are out of the race to supply Formula 1 tires next season.

Domenicali had a meeting with the media at Monaco this weekend. A decision about next year’s supplier had been expected in Monaco, but once again the matter was postponed.

It will probably take another week. Perhaps next weekend”, Domenicali was quoted as saying by motorsport-magazin.com.

Among the tire producers who have submitted formal proposals there was Avon, but according to Domenicali, the U.S.-owned British company is out of the question. And even if teams have been trying to convince Bridgestone to change its mind about the F1 retirement, it seems the Japanese company is committed to its decision to leave the sport.

That leaves only two viable options. “There are only two possibilities: Michelin and Pirelli. I don’t see any other option”, Domenicali revealed.

The outcome of the race between the French and Italian tire producers is not yet clear, even if Pirelli looked as a favourite during the Monaco GP weekend. That’s because Michelin’s offer is still attractive enough for the teams to make them think twice about which supplier to choose.

The next few days will be crucial regarding this matter, as the Formula 1 teams can’t afford to postpone a decision indefinitely. Renault team principal Eric Boullier said to Autosport that the matter should be clarified by the Turkish Grand Prix. “It has to be, because I think there is a technical issue that if we wait too late then nothing will be ready for next year. It has to be done by Turkey," Boullier was quoted as saying by Autosport.
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