Change to F1's tyre supply not an issue for teams, says Sam Michael

McLaren sporting director Sam Michael has said that the question mark surrounding the Pirelli’s tyre supply is not really an issue for the teams.

“It’s not really an issue for us at this point. We’re assuming that it’s Pirelli and therefore we’re just engaging with them technically. If that changed, like anything in F1, then you’d adapt, because F1 is all about change management. But right now we’re fully down the road of designing our car for Pirelli tyres, assuming that’s what it’s going to be,” he said.

Pirelli has signed new contracts with majority of the teams, but FIA is yet to confirm that the Italian company will continue as the sole supplier next season.

Meanwhile, Michelin has expressed their interest to return as the supplier after a break of 7 years. The teams would have only little time of three months to adapt if the tyre supply was to change.

“The main areas that it affects are things like your wind tunnel, because it affects your tyre profile, both in CFD and the wind tunnel. But it also affects suspension geometry and set-up,” Michael added.