The tyre supply situation for the upcoming 2011 Formula One championship season has been a topic for discussion over the past few weeks and in the scheduled FOTA meeting held yesterday, the topic was also on the agenda with most teams wanting an answer on the matter before the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix.

However, Williams technical director, Sam Michael revealed after the meeting that there is still no firm decision as yet as there is still the main issue of cost. Bridgestone currently supply tyres for free, however both Avon and Michelin plan to charge for the service.

"The conversations really, at this point, are between Michelin and Avon. Avon's a lot cheaper (than Michelin) but it's a less proven product although they've done plenty of highly competitive tyres,” Michael told Reuters. "They are a bigger unknown than Michelin because Michelin did it (in F1) very recently. But there is a significant difference in cost and you are probably talking over three times the difference in cost to the teams. So that's what's being debated at the moment."

Added to that debate, in the long run it is up to FOM chief Bernie Ecclestone to make the final decision....

"I think the discussion in FOTA is just acknowledgement that you've got to take into account a lot of different factors, it's not a straight financial decision and it's not a straight technical decision. All this needs to be discussed with Bernie as he's traditionally looked after tyre supply."