BRIDGESTONE "Reds" For 2007 F1?

As F1's sole tire supplier for 2007, Bridgestone is proposing the use of a second softer tire that the teams would be required to use during the race. Currently, this is being done in Champ Car racing.

The softer tire would be identified with a prominent red stripe on the sidewall. This stripe allows fans to see the strategy being used by the teams during the race. Some teams will use the soft tire at the start of the race, some at the end. In theory, this means that tire choice will still be an element in race strategy which in turn should keep fan interest high and competition close.

The other benefit to Bridgestone is that they will leave the event will less wasted tires.

I like the idea, the color does not clash with the Ferrari!
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here's more . .

The Japanese manufacturer is evaluating ways of ensuring that tyres remain a major talking point when it becomes F1's sole rubber manufacturer from the start of next season.

Sources have confirmed that one of the proposals that is being openly discussed is for a radical shake-up of the way tyres are distributed and used by the teams.

The plan is for teams to be supplied with both a hard compound and softer 'option' tyre from the start of practice.

But rather than doing what happens at the moment, with teams choosing one of the compounds to take through to qualifying and the race, the teams will have to use both sets in the race.

This will open up the possibility of varied strategies in the races, with some teams choosing to use the softer tyre at the start of the race, with others holding back until later in the Grand Prix.

It is understood that Bridgestone will follow Champ Car's lead and differentiate the tyres with a red band on the sidewall of the option tyres. This will help fans and commentators understand what is happening in the race.

As well as increasing excitement and keeping tyres an important factor, sources have said that the other positive factor behind such a move is that it would reduce the amount of wasted tyres Bridgestone produce.

The company wants to try and avoid the expense of supplying two different compounds to all 11 teams, and then find half of those tyres are useless by Saturday afternoon.

Although it is understood that talks for such a rule change are at an advanced stage, Bridgestone admits that nothing is guaranteed yet.

Bridgestone's Hirohide Hamashima told autosport.com: "There are lots of discussions taking place at the moment about the supply of tyres next year, but nothing has been decided."

It is hoped that next year's tyre rules can be framed soon, to allow Bridgestone enough time to produce rubber for winter testing that is close to the type that will be raced with in 2007.

Carol

 

I like, I like.

 

Go Bridgestone... They have been a great partner to Ferrari!

 

is more silly rules..

 

It would add an interesting new variable into each team's race strategy, but I think it would come down to the harder compound being used at the start with heavy fuel and the soft tires would be saved until the last stop when the car could be filled with enough fuel to finish so the car can do some really fast laps.

If Bridgestone is really worried about having tires left over, then they need to develop a single compound to be used over a race weekend that everyone will use. Take tire compounds out of the equation and let the teams focus on suspension and aero setup for qualifying and the race.

 

I thought the point of the single tire manufacturer was to remove all this 'compunding' issues. Give every team a rock hard tire that would last all race and slow down cornering, and let the best machine win.

 

Make them run all-season radials, that way they wouldn't have to change them for rainy days.

 

Personally, I'd like to see six race tires.

Not many people know it, but I think it was Jim Clark who found a "magic" set of tires and used them for several races.

Of course these days tire technology has moved on, but seriously, before you dismiss the idea, consider the effect of a tire that has to last for six race weekends. Longer braking distances. Fewer "marbles" off line. Think about it.

Max is all about reducing speeds and making racing more competitive, a simple tire rule would accomplish everything he wants.

Of course if I had my way F1 cars would have no wings either, and Charlie Whiting would go down the grid with a hammer knocking off any stupid bits that stick out.

I don't care if F1 is the fastest, but I want it to be the best racing. Make wind tunnels obsolete: they are a waste of time and resources. Of course you can't outlaw CFD, but you CAN make it impotent.

Face it: the age of aerodynamics has brought F1 to the brink of destruction. Does Max have the courage to drag it back? Almost certainly not.

 

The abolition of wings, might produce some rather odd looking body work, but it would the restore the drivers, to a greater part of the competition equation, with less aerodynamic interaction (interference) between cars, allowing safer close running and more passing.

To a great degree, yes, the wind tunnels, would be an area of diminishing return, but IMO, they would still be used.

 

What he said. Stop messing around with confusing rules.

 

I agree with you, but unfortunately wings are the most profitable part of the car aside from the airbox since they are aerodynamic billboards for sponsors so they aren't going anywhere. F1 can keep the single tire supplier if they like, but the formula should return to single element front and rear wings, slick tires, flat bottom chassis and an option to run V-8s or smaller displacement 4 or 6 cylinder engines with turbos, but they should be homologated based on actual production engines. Then we'd see some real supercars on the street.

 

I'm a big ChampCar fan, this is the one part of the current rules that I don't like. I don't think it contribues to the competition at all and complicates chassis setup. The reds do increase grip but it's apparently difficult to get the car to work with both compounds. I think they should run a harder compound to keep the marbles off the racing surface.

 

They could keep the wings. Put them near the Monza settings where there is very little pitch in the elements, less downforce.

 

Here's something else they should do: Have one set of exploding "gag" tires! Fill them with hydrogen so when they reach full temp, BANG! It'll be hilarious! Fans will be on the edges of their seats, wondering: Who will get the booby tires this week?

 

LOL !!

 

"Turbochargers are for diesels," a former President of Mercedes Benz.

IMO, any race series can be successfully run without turbos, it only adds plumbing and expense.

 

I like this idea. Sort of like the toy in a Cracker Jack box.

 

I do not like this, not at all. What is wrong with the existing system? I do not see this is as any improvement.

 

Existing system has two different tire manufacturers. 2007 has only one, Bridgestone. No matter what, the current system is gone next year. So if there is a way to add some "intrigue" to the level of competition, then I am all for it.

 

Me likey red stripes.

 

Does that mean you use that toothpaste with the stripes? I forget what it is called, Bridgegate, Colstone?

 

LOL, nahh.

I just like the idea that one part of the strategy becomes more visible to the fans. It is a bit like opening the pit to car comm loops. We get more of an insight in what's going on.

Now if they could only introduce little scales with telemetry inbedded into the starting grid that would tell us at the start the weights of all the cars, it would really amount to something.

 

I would love to get a set of those Bridgestone "red stripes" for my Boxer.

 

Talking about weird Bridgestone F1 tires, how about this one:

I shot these at the 2005 Carshow in Chicago. I asked the BS rep what that's all about and he said they tested with these pink tires at some point. Dont axe me why.
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