Michelin confirms WRC interest and begins testing

1st September 2010

By Charlie Contadeli

Michelin has confirmed it is hoping to return to the World Rally Championship next season – and it has already begun testing its tyres according to sources.

The deadline for tyre firms to advise the sport’s governing body, the FIA, of whether or not they want to be considered for supplying tyres next season passes today and Michelin has confirmed to the FIA that it’s ready to return.

The French company entered the World Rally Championship in 1973 and competed regularly until the end of 2005, when it re-branded as BFGoodrich. Since the end of 2007, it switched its allegiance to the Intercontinental Rally Challenge after Pirelli won the sole tyre supplier contract for the WRC.

Peugeot’s occasional IRC driver Stephane Sarrazin has been busy testing tyres for Michelin in the south of France on asphalt and at Chateau Lastours on gravel.

A source close to Michelin said: “There’s a strong desire to get back to the WRC – and that’s why the first process has been entered into with the FIA. Now, I guess, they have to sit and wait to see how many of the three manufacturers competing next year wants to work with them.”

It is understood no decision has yet been made by Pirelli as to whether they will remain in the WRC next season.