Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has admitted that he is not keen on tyre suppliers Michelin returning to the sport.
The French company shared tyre duties with Bridgestone between 2001-2006, and has said that they intend to return in 2017.
However, Ecclestone wants current supplier Pirelli to continue, and insists that they would do a better job.
He told AUTOSPORT: "All Michelin would do is make a rock-hard tyre that you could put on in January and take off in December because they don't want to be in a position where they can be criticised.
"That would make absolutely 100 per cent sure, if there was a question mark about Mercedes winning, it would be removed.
"It would be all the things we don't want, and goes against all the things Pirelli have had the courage to do from what we have asked, which has made for some bloody good racing.
"If we had a rock-hard tyre, we could just forget about that."
Pirelli are also expected to bid for the new contract.
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Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has admitted that he is not keen on tyre suppliers Michelin returning to the sport.
The French company shared tyre duties with Bridgestone between 2001-2006, and has said that they intend to return in 2017.
However, Ecclestone wants current supplier Pirelli to continue, and insists that they would do a better job.
He told AUTOSPORT: "All Michelin would do is make a rock-hard tyre that you could put on in January and take off in December because they don't want to be in a position where they can be criticised.
"That would make absolutely 100 per cent sure, if there was a question mark about Mercedes winning, it would be removed.
"It would be all the things we don't want, and goes against all the things Pirelli have had the courage to do from what we have asked, which has made for some bloody good racing.
"If we had a rock-hard tyre, we could just forget about that."
Pirelli are also expected to bid for the new contract.
Related topics