By Phil Huff
December 14 2005

Honda Racing F1's Nick Fry has expressed the team's sadness at today's announcement that Michelin is to withdraw from Formula One at the end of the 2006 season. "The Honda Racing F1 Team is saddened by the news that our tyre partner Michelin has decided to leave Formula One at the end of next season," said Nick Fry. "Over the course of the past three years we have forged a very strong partnership and shared many special moments in our team's development."

The then BAR Honda team made a late switch to Michelin tyres for the 2004 season, giving the team a very noticeable performance boost, despite facing a steep learning curve in how to extract the most from the new rubber.

"Whilst we believe that Michelin's departure will be a sad loss for the sport, we understand their reasons for this decision," continued Honda Racing F1's Chief Executive Officer. "We thank Michelin for the contribution it has made to our team and we look forward to working with the company for one final year in 2006.

"For our part, we will be doing everything possible to ensure that next season is the most successful yet for ourselves and Michelin."