Formula One teams have narrowed their choice in tyre supply to Cooper Avon and Michelin according to Williams technical director Sam Michael.
With Bridgestone leaving the sport after this season, F1 is on the lookout for a new supplier. French supplier Michelin were first to announce their interest, followed by American company, Cooper Avon.
Pirelli also showed an interest, but it would seem the teams have ruled out that option.
“The conversations really, at this point, are between Michelin and Avon,” Michael told Reuters.
“Avon’s a lot cheaper [than Michelin] but it’s a less proven product although they’ve done plenty of highly competitive tyres.
“They are a bigger unknown than Michelin because Michelin did it very recently. But there is a significant difference in cost and you are probably talking over three times the difference in cost to the teams. So that’s what’s being debated at the moment.”
A decision was expected before the Spanish GP, but Michael’s admitted that now looked unlikely as the teams needed to discuss the matter further with FOM rights holder Bernie Ecclestone.
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