Michelin would return to F1 tire war

(GMM) Michelin might consider returning to formula one if the rules allow it, the French marque's motor racing boss Nick Shorrock said on Friday.

The Clermont-Ferrand manufacturer entered the sport in 2001 in competition with Bridgestone, but left five years later when the then FIA president Max Mosley limited the sport to just one tire supplier.

"We are following with interest the evolution of FIA regulations," Shorrock is quoted as saying by the Italian source AGI.

"We hope for the opening to more tire producers, because only competition may improve the contest. If regulations change in this direction we will consider the possibility of our return," he added.

F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, however, appears happy with the current arrangement, with Italy's Pirelli contributing to the show this year by designing tires that quickly degrade.

"People want to see the races and up to now they've been wonderful," said the Briton, who observed that his favorite driver Sebastian Vettel is on the verge of wrapping up the 2011 title.

"The real winner of the world championship is Pirelli," added Ecclestone.