Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsFormula 1

FIA tender document rules out tyre war

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As the FIA opens up its tyre tender process for a contract running from 2017 to 2019, the official document specifies that only a single supplier shall be allowed.

With Pirelli's contract due to expire at the end of the 2016 season, and Michelin expressing interest in getting involved once again in F1, recent speculation had conceived that a tyre war could well have been on the horizon. But the FIA's proposal clearly puts the presumption to rest.

"The tender document has come out and that says a single tyre supplier until the end of 2019," Pirelli's Paul Hembery said. "That reflects what the team wants and that's the situation they want to maintain."

While some within the F1 - including Fernando Alonso - believe an outright tyre war would help spice up proceedings, the majority of the teams appear against any on-track clash involving rival rubber manufacturers.

"This means that two teams will get the good tyres and the rest will just get crap," believes Toro Rosso's Franz Tost. "The complete competition would drive in a completely different direction. Then we would have, after now the power unit Formula 1, we would have the tyre Formula 1. Once the power units are stabilised, we open the next problem."

Click here for a look at the FIA's clampdown on front wing flexibility

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.