From GMM
Tire manufacturer Avon has confirmed reports it is a potential supplier of tires in formula one next year.
The name entered the frame as a potential replacement for F1's departing sole supplier Bridgestone in China last weekend, amid suggestions the teams group FOTA had agreed an in-principle deal with Michelin.
But with the famous French marque wanting to be paid and pushing for regulations allowing much lower profile tires, it was rumoured Avon was favoured by Bernie Ecclestone and the smaller teams as a non-branded and cheaper option.
UK based Avon, supplier to the defunct A1 Grand Prix open wheeler series, was sold to Ohio based Cooper in 1997.
It is little known that Avon supplied tires to certain F1 teams back in 1981.
Its motor racing division said in a statement that it "has been approached" to supply tires to F1 teams.
"The company is in discussion with the relevant parties and cannot comment further at this stage," said Avon Cooper.
It is rumoured that Bridgestone could remain quietly involved beyond this year as the non-official supplier of technology and personnel to Avon.
F1 team bosses Martin Whitmarsh and Stefano Domenicali said they are confident the issue will be resolved by the next race in Barcelona.
"I think we will know something more, I would say 100 per cent, by Barcelona," Ferrari's Domenicali said before departing Shanghai.
Photo Credit : Avon
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