Michelin to sue FIA

The French rubber manufacturer was beaten By Italian constructor Pirelli to the tender for 2008 in a deal announced last week.

But Michelin, who now supply all of the top teams in the WRC through their BF Goodrich brand following Subaru's switch over the winter, are taking legal action because they believe there were irregularities in the tendering processes.

A statement read: "Michelin initiates legal proceedings against the FIA before the Tribunal de Grande Instance de Paris and requests that the 27 February 2007 decision of the World Motor Sport Council of the FIA granting Pirelli the exclusive supply of tyres for the 2008-2009-2010 World Rally Championships (WRC) be annulled due to irregularities in the tender process.”

The FIA had no response to Michelin's allegations.