Jun.8 (GMM)  Hankook is no longer in the running to supply tyres to F1 teams in 2011, but the Korean company is not ruling out another bid within the next “two or three years”.

Michelin, Kumho and Avon were also interested in replacing the sport’s departing official supplier Bridgestone, but it is believed Pirelli is now in pole position for the deal.

But executive vice president Hyan Bum Cho told the Sydney Morning Herald that Seoul-based Hankook might be interested in succeeding the Italian marque.

“Currently we do have a little Le Mans team, and some rally teams here and there, and we try to sell some motor sports tyres,” he is quoted by the Australian newspaper.

“In the future we want to have some hefty market share in that segment.  It’s quite profitable, but in order to really leverage from motor sports in terms of brands, you need to participate in either world rally championship or a very high segment in Le Mans, or formula one,” added Cho.

“So in the future that’s the target that we have, to participate in those segments.  And that’s going to cost a lot of money, a lot of development cost, a lot of investment, and also how to run these operations with experience.”

Hankook’s Cho confirmed that becoming the new formula one supplier next year was discussed.

“Probably you know that Mr Ecclestone has some trouble with tyres this year.  I talked to him personally (but) we decided not to go on with the programme.

“He needed a tyre very, very quick, and we could not prepare it,” Cho admitted.

“But we had a very good talk and maybe we’ll have a shot for next term, or another term.”

Italian media sources are reporting that Pirelli will be F1′s sole tyre supplier in 2011 and beyond.

Autosprint and Italiaracing say the Milan-based marque has been selected by the teams and F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone to replace the departing control supplier Bridgestone.

Reportedly also in the running had been Michelin as well as minor contenders Avon, Kumho and Hankook.

When asked to nominate his preference, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said this week: “As an Italian I prefer Pirelli, but experience tells me Michelin.

“In the end it will be the same for everyone,” he said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Autosprint said Pirelli will be paid 1 million euros per team per season in 2011, 2012 and 2013, in exchange for identical attention and service and a range of just three compounds: soft, medium and hard.

At least initially, the tyres will be in a similar 13-inch specification to the current Bridgestone product, with a longer-term ambition being a move to a low profile.

The decision is set to be confirmed shortly by the World Motor Sport Council.

Spain’s El Mundo Deportivo reports that Pirelli, already the supplier of the new GP3 series as well as world rally, is also likely to supply GP2 next year.

Pirelli was last in F1 in 1991.
(GMM)

Pirelli has clarified that it is not interested in competing in formula one with other tyre suppliers.

It was confirmed officially last week that the Italian marque has submitted an application to replace Bridgestone as the sport’s sole supplier.

Michelin also wants to come back to formula one next year, and it has been rumoured in recent days that Pirelli might be willing to satisfy the French company’s desire to race against other tyre brands.

“At the moment we are having discussions about a single supplier situation, not about an open market,” Pirelli’s racing manager Mario Isola is quoted by Auto Hebdo.

The latest edition of the French magazine also said Bridgestone, Avon, Kumho and Hankook are the other candidates to supply F1 teams next year.

The teams are pushing hard for clarity about 2011 tyre supply, but it is now rumoured that a resolution is unlikely by the end of the Monaco race weekend.

“The good news is there appears to be several companies interested in supplying tyres to formula one,” said FOTA chairman Martin Whitmarsh.

(GMM)

Bridgestone is showing signs of performing a dramatic U-turn and staying in formula one beyond 2010.

Currently, the Japanese supplier is due to depart at the end of the season, as potential replacements including Michelin, Pirelli, Avon, Kumho and possibly others clamour at the paddock turnstiles.

But the teams are trying to persuade Bridgestone to stay, and have written a letter to Bridgestone Europe that will be passed on to CEO Shoshi Arakawa.

“The request is an honour,” said the marque’s F1 boss Hiroshi Yasukawa.

Before departing Barcelona, he indicated in a statement that F1 is still important to Bridgestone.

“We hosted guests from the USA and Brazil as well as many from our European markets which has illustrated the importance of formula one as a business tool,” said Yasukawa.

“Our sales companies continue to support our formula one activities, showing the significance of this to our business.

“We are proud to have the support of all of the teams in this fantastic sport,” he added.

FOTA chairman Martin Whitmarsh said the teams are hoping the issue of 2011 tyre supply is settled in Monaco this weekend, but Stefano Domenicali fears it might take another week.

“There are four proposals that appear to be out there and maybe there’s another couple as well,” Whitmarsh confirmed to Reuters.

And with Michelin wanting tyre competitors and the smaller teams wanting cheaper options, the Briton admitted that the concept of multiple brands in F1 next year is not out of the question.

But he insisted: “If you use multiple suppliers, it has got to be controlled in terms of testing and development.”

(GMM)