Michelin has expressed its regret over the decision by Formula 1 governing body the FIA and FOTA (Formula One Teams Association) to accept only a single tyre supplier ahead of the 2011 season.

With the FIA having stated in 2006 that it wished for a sole tyre manufacturer in the sport, Michelin withdrew to leave Bridgestone supplying all teams. However, with the Japanese company leaving at the end of the current campaign, Michelin had hoped to go head-to-head on-track with Pirelli.

Despite the Michelin support from the likes of FOTA Chairman and McLaren Team Principal Martin Whitmarsh, however, Italians Pirelli were selected at the end of June.

“We were asked if we would be interested in a return to F1,” Nick Shorrock, the Director of Michelin’s racing division, began to explain to France’s AUTOHebdo. “We responded. Then we were asked to make an offer based on the current regulations. We did not.

“Michelin's policy is clear; competition is part of our priorities, as long as it meets the four key values that we stand for: competition between various manufacturers, respect for the environment, highlighting our technologies and ensuring that a tyre battle adds to the overall spectacle, with drivers using different strategies.

“The conditions were not right for a Michelin F1 presence in the period of 2011 to 2013.”

credit gpupdate