Horner: Money should not decide F1 tyre supplier
Red Bull boss Christian Horner says Formula 1 should not choose its future tyre supplier simply on the grounds of who pays the most money.
The 2017 tyre tender selection has moved on to its next phase, with Bernie Ecclestone to discuss commercial terms with Michelin and Pirelli prior to a joint decision being made with the FIA.
And although it would be in the interest of teams to find a partner that offers the biggest financial incentive, Horner is adamant that it would be wrong for the sport if that decision delivered boring races.
In particular, he suggests a Michelin push for 18-inch wheels and low degrading tyres is not what F1 needs.
"Well, I think what we're basically saying is that whoever pays the most cash, we will sit here and say we love and think they should be the right supplier for Formula 1," explained Horner. "I think it does go a bit beyond that.
"An 18-inch rim and a one stop is going to do nothing for the spectacle of a grand prix and I think actually we need to be looking at doing the opposite: getting two- to three-stop races, controlled degradation, maybe more choice for the teams in terms of the tyres that they can take to grands prix, all the things that we're talking about.
"I think Pirelli have done a good job since they've been involved in the sport, they've been supportive of Formula 1 through hard times as well as the good times.
"And hopefully with the cars that are coming for 2017, that are going to be quite a bit different, quite a bit quicker, with tyres that are significantly different to what we have now as well, then that represents a great challenge and hopefully Pirelli will be successful with that."
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