michelin

On the eve of this year’s Australian Formula One Grand Prix, former Aussie ace Mark Webber has been appointed as an ambassador for Michelin, the tyre that took him to his first F1 race at Albert Park in 2002. Webber, who is also a Porsche motorsport representative and has tested the new electric Taycan, said he still has vivid memories of his first F1 race – with the underdog Minardi team – even though it was 17 years ago.

Kia has made the bold move of switching tyre allegiance for Stinger GT models in Australia, ditching Continental for Michelin. We first reported we were unimpressed with the longevity of the Continental ContiSport Contact 5 tyres fitted to the Stinger GT when we tested it against the Holden Commodore SS-V Redline last year. The tyres showed signs of excessive wear under hard driving, and we actually destroyed a (very young) set after shooting dynamic images.

French tyre maker Michelin is reportedly interested, depending on the possibilities, in taking part in the consolidation of the industry. Marc Henry, Chief Financial Officer at Michelin Group, denied the claims saying the company plans to hold onto its status as a 'societe en commandite par actions', which protects it from takeover attempts as it concentrates power in the hands of the company's founding family.