Michelin face F1 exodus

More than one Michelin shod F1 team will be enticed onto Bridgestone rubber next season. The French supplier's 'better balance' proposal, then, might actually be interpreted as a clever way of putting a noble spin on losing F1 support.

Indeed, rather than muse an eighth team, Michelin F1 director Nick Shorrock told Autosport that the only current contract beyond the end of this year is with Sauber. The rest are thought keen on a 'control' tire — and the eager frontrunner is Bridgestone. ''We're working very hard on the other (six F1 contracts),'' Shorrock revealed.

Ferrari powered (in 2006) Red Bull will almost certainly make the switch, and may be joined by Toyota and Williams. ''We are looking at our options,'' a Toyota spokesman admitted.