March 28, 2013 - Michelin has been selected as the official tire supplier for the FIA Formula E series.
Here is Michelin's press release:
Michelin to play pioneering role in new FIA Formula E Championship
03/29/2013
Michelin has been selected to become the FIA Formula E Championship’s official tire partner for the three years to come, up to 2015.
Following the tender process instigated by the FIA (Federation International de l’Automobile), the French brand’s bid was chosen by the motorsport’s governing body for its savoir-faire in three different areas, namely its technical expertise, its marketing plan and its involvement in mobility promotion programmes.
Pascal COUASNON, Director of the Michelin group’s Motorsport Department, underlined how pleased and proud the French tire manufacturer was to have been selected to be a part of the new FIA Formula E Championship: “When it comes to energy efficient tires and responsible motorsport, Michelin has emerged as a pioneer. This new race series is valued by Michelin through the facts that that it introduces a new form of power and it will bring the sport to city centres. We will use our expertise to provide the competitors in this highly innovative new championship with new MICHELIN tires engineered to bring out the very best out in these cars. The FIA Formula E Championship is a perfect showcase for the MICHELIN Total Performance concept which consists in working simultaneously on all the factors that contribute to tire performance, including those commonly believed to be irreconcilable.”
It should be noted that the Michelin group has been active in the promotion and development of mobility ever since the company was founded. In 1998, it organised the first global event dedicated to the showcasing of new mobility-related technologies, the MICHELIN CHALLENGE BIBENDUM.
Here is the FIA's press release:
Michelin confirmed as official tyre supplier for FIA FE
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) announces Michelin as the official tyre supplier for FIA Formula E Championship.
Michelin confirmed as official tyre supplier
for FIA Formula E Championship
The FIA Formula E Championship is a new motor sport series promoted by Formula E Holdings Ltd and will bring electric racing to city centres around the world in 2014. The aim is to develop a World Championship designed to promote interest and investment in electric vehicles and sustainable motoring.
An open championship, the FIA Formula E Championship gives car manufacturers the opportunity to showcase their electrical energy innovations in a racing environment, designing cars to the technical specifications set out by the FIA.
Teams representing Britain (Drayson Racing) and China (China Racing) have become the first candidates for what will be a 10-team and 20-driver grid for the first Formula E season.
The debut season will see a race street circuit calendar with events so far confirmed in London, Rome, Miami, Los Angeles, Putrajaya, Beijing, Buenos Aires, and Rio de Janeiro. Expressions of interest were received from 23 host cities keen to play a role in the future of motorsport.
Final ratification of the 2014 FIA Formula E Championship calendar will take place at the September meeting of the World Motor Sport Council.
FIA President Jean Todt said: "I am delighted to welcome Michelin to Formula E, an innovative new motor sport concept which will highlight the commitment of all participants to what will be an exciting racing championship delivered to the public in city centres with particular attention devoted to sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions. Michelin have a long and relevant history of performance allied with technical invention and are therefore ideal partners for Formula E."
Florent Menegaux, Director of the Automobile Tyre Product Line of the Michelin Group said:
"The Michelin Group is very honoured to have been accepted by the FIA for the new FIA Formula E Championship.
We are constantly seeking to introduce innovations into our tyres, in order to assure a more efficient and durable mobility.
Competition is a formidable testing ground in which to experiment and develop future technologies.
The FIA Formula E Championship, which focuses on new forms of energy and will take place in an urban setting, will give us the opportunity to apply the very best of our technological know-how."
Formula E Holdings CEO Alejandro Agag said: “As a brand new championship we are thrilled to be partnering with such a trusted brand as Michelin, with over a 100 year history of leadership and innovation in motorsport. FIA Formula E Championship and Michelin both share the same commitment to ensuring safety, innovative technology and sustainable mobility. Now with Michelin joining in to create the future Formula E customer car, I am more confident than ever that next year we’ll be seeing spectacular electric racing across global city centres from Beijing to Los Angeles.”
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