By Alex Kapadia

Formula One teams are focusing on price as they edge closer to a decision on a new tyres supplier for next season.

Sam Michael, technical director for Williams, said after a meeting of the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) yesterday: “The conversations really, at this point, are between Michelin and Avon.

“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,” he told Reuters. “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.”

Current tyre supplier Bridgestone are withdrawing from the sport at the end of the season, and there are concerns at the safety implications of leaving it this late in finding a new supplier.

Michael also dismissed reports that a decision could be made before the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona next week.

“I think the discussion in FOTA is just acknowledgement that you’ve got to take into account a lot of different factors,” he said.

“It’s not a straight financial decision and it’s not a straight technical decision.”

Cooper Avon have confirmed that they are interested in entering the Formula One arena and supplying the sport with tyres in 2011.

The announcement follows days of speculation that the tyres company is joining Michelin as one of two possible candidates to replace Bridgestone at the end of the 2010 season.

Cooper Avon confirmed: “As a major motorsport tyre manufacturer, Cooper Tyre, through its Avon Tyres Motorsport operation, has been approached to supply Formula 1. The company is in discussion with the relevant parties and cannot comment further at this stage.”

With the departure of the Japanese tyre supplier at the end of 2009, F1 is looking for a new manufacturer. It seems FOTA have in principle agreed to Michelin’s demands, which involve the introduction of an 18-inch wheel, rather than the current 13-inches.

However, the Michelin contract includes payment from each team, something the smaller teams are not happy about and neither, apparently, is commerical rights holder, Bernie Ecclestone.

It’s thought Ecclestone is backing the supply contract from Cooper Avon, rather than ex-supplier, Michelin, despite telling the BBC that he didn’t mind which company succeeded.

“We’re trying to make an agreement. I don’t mind [which company] as long as the teams are happy.”

Alex Kapadia, Operations Team

By Alex Kapadia

Formula One teams are hoping that a decision will be made about who will be supplying their tyres for next season before they reach the Spanish Grand Prix.

A giant question mark has been hanging over the issue for months, ever since sole tyres supplier Bridgestone announced they were pulling out of the sport when their contract expires at the end of the 2010 season.

Michelin have confirmed they are interested in returning to the world of F1, but have several conditions which would have to be met.

And at the end of last week AUTOSPORT revealed that Cooper Avon were throwing their hat in to the ring at the last minute as surprise contenders to supply tyres to the teams.

Now AUTOSPORT have revealed that several team bosses are optimistic that a deal can be agreed before the Spanish Grand Prix.

Discussions took place between teams and Bernie Ecclestone in Shanghai last week to try and get a deal agreed as soon as possible, because 2011 car designs need to start being worked on soon.

Red Bull Racing’s Christian Horner told AUTOSPORT: “I think there are two credible options potentially on the table and hopefully in the next few weeks it can be finalised.”

However, he would not be drawn on whether he preferred the Michelin or Cooper Avon option. “I am totally impartial,” he said: “I think both tyre companies that have been mentioned are more than capable of producing quality tyres and it is important that specification of the tyre, the quantity, the service and all those elements are right for F1. And also the cost implications as well.”

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh added: “I think we are making some progress. We have some options and that is something we have got to work out. I hope it will be sorted by Spain. We will see. At least we look like we are going to have some tyres next year. That is a pretty important one, and we now just have to decide how and where and who they are from.”

And Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali confirmed: “Of course it is a point of concern for the future of F1 – there is no doubt about that.

“As far as I can say, as you know Michelin has made a proposal that is under evaluation to make sure that it is the best proposal from the technical point of view and the commercial point of view.

“On the other hand I know that there is a possible discussion to have another tyre competitor who can be ready to come for next year, and I think we will know something more, I would say 100 percent, by Barcelona. So by Barcelona the situation of tyres should be almost clear if not defined.”

If you thought all the Formula One action was taking place on the Shanghai circuit today, then listen up.

The latest rumour doing the rounds in the paddock is that Cooper Avon tyres has emerged as a surprise late contender to supply tyres for the sport next season, according to Autosport.

This is despite the teams having agreed in principle a deal with Michelin!

Apparently, after weeks of discussions between F1 teams and the French tyre manufacturer, well-placed sources have revealed that an official offer for a 2011 deal has now been proposed in writing to the Formula One Teams’ Association (FOTA).

Autosport reports: “While what is proposed is believed to have the support of every team, the move still needs ratification from the FIA and F1 commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone before it can be put into practice.

“However, despite the teams being keen on the Michelin plans - which will include a switch to 18-inch wheels – sources claim that Bernie Ecclestone is not in favour of such a move, and is instead believed to be keen on a different tyre manufacturer getting involved.”

High level, behind-the-scenes meetings are expected to be going on today to try and sort out the situation – with Ecclestone having not yet informed teams what his own preferred route for 2011 is.

A source told AUTOSPORT: “We want to know by the Spanish Grand Prix what tyres we are running in 2011. That is why we plan to meet with Ecclestone on Sunday to see what his idea is.”

Sources suggest that Ecclestone is pushing for a deal with Cooper Avon. It is possible that the tyre manufacturer could use former Bridgestone personnel to help service the tyres and ensure it is operating at a level that will satisfy F1 teams.

Alex Kapadia, Operations Team

Avon Tyres has put its name to two regional Formula Ford Championships for 2010, which will be known as the Avon Tyres Club Formula Ford Northern Championship and Avon Tyres Club Formula Ford Southern Championship.

Having been the control tyre throughout Formula Ford 1600 racing for many years, the sponsorship of the two Club Championships, organised by the British Racing and Sports Car Club (BRSCC), was a natural progression.

Roger Everson, sales and marketing manager for the Avon tyres racing division, said: “Our tyres are synonymous with Formula Ford so we are delighted to support the marque’s leading entry level championship.”

The BRSCC’s Club Formula Ford Championships have also announced that highly-respected Formula Ford ‘guru’ James Beckett is joining the championship in the role of overall co-ordinator.

James Beckett said: “This is a natural progression from working with the BRSCC on the Formula Ford Festival, and I was pleased to be approached by the club to work with them on their Formula Ford 1600 projects.

“My passion for Formula Ford has been well documented, and my aim is to further enhance and develop the category through all the BRSCC regions.”

Alex Kapadia, Operations Team