Michelin announced this afternoon in Europe that it was suing the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile, which sanctions Formula 1 and the World Rally Championship, asking that FIA’s single-tire deal with Pirelli SpA for the 2008-10 WRC seasons be “annulled due to irregularities in the tender process.”
Pirelli was named the sole tire supplier for the WRC last week, and Michelin, whose BFGoodrich brand is the lone tire in the series this season, expressed surprise and anger at the FIA’s decision. Pirelli, which had been active in the WRC for many ears, withdrew after last season, leaving BFGoodrich as the sole tire brand.
