Thursday March 30th, 2000

Michelin will provide Jaguar with tyres next season when the French company returns to Formula One after a 16-year absence.

Michelin had already announced in December that they would provide tyres for the Williams team in 2001 and Toyota from their planned Formula One debut by 2002.

"We have already started our tyre test programme at our research centre in France and are looking forward to meeting the challenge of Formula One," said Pierre Dupasquier, Michelin's competitions manager, in a statement.

Jaguar, seven times winners of the Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race, made their F1 debut in this season's opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne with British drivers Johnny Herbert and Eddie Irvine.

The Ford-owned team was previously known as Stewart.

Jaguar Racing chairman Neil Ressler said he was looking forward to a strong partnership.

"The fact that this is a long-term agreement shows the strength of commitment from Michelin and Jaguar racing to succeed."

Japanese tyre maker Bridgestone is currently the sole provider of tyres to Formula One teams.