Return of the tire wars?

Michelin vs Hancook vs Khumo perhaps?

 

I'd love to see tire wars on the grid.

 

I'm 50/50 on this because while I like the competition and the exotic compounds manufacturers come out with, I hate seeing a team/driver relegated to mediocrity thanks to simply having the wrong brand of tires. For example, Ferrari in 2005...

 

+1

I'm ok with single tyre supplier. But, for God's sake..let the drivers choose what compounds they want to run the entire race. Enough of this prime and option tyre thing. It's just not working. Wake up, Jean Todt!

 

For bridgestone there's little in it at the moment because they're the single supplier. There's no competition at all so they won't develop the tire, and they can't say 'look we are the best F1 tire supplier'.

I liked the tire wars....constant development, hell, for Ferrari they specifically developed tires to suit the car itself!!!

 

Please not another tire war. Tire war really means "tire war" and not "racing". We all saw in 2005 what happened. Not again.

 

+110

Absolutely true!

 

I preferred the tire wars to the single supplier.

Neither supplier had the advantage on every track, some tracks suited one manufacturer and some suited the other - it made it far more interesting.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

The question is who?

Michelin? So far possible if competitors.

Bridgestone? Out

What about the other big manufacturers? Pirelli? Goodyear? Hankook?

Do they have the necessary technology?

I'll admit I'm not particularly knowledgeable on tire technology/industry in general.

 

Michelin are the only other tyre supplier that have the technology to come in where Bridgestone left off but if Michelin aren't willing to come into F1 alone then either another tyre manufacturer will HAVE to come in or Bridgestone HAS to stay.

It's time for us to find out how good Jean Todt's negotiation skills are.

 

When you say Bridgestone HAS to stay... if Bridgestone don't want to stay and Michelin don't want to come in alone, then what happens? Are Bridgestone contracted to stay and provide tyres until a replacement is found?

All the best,
Andrew.

 

The big problem is they have to pay to play. I think I read somewhere BS pay to the tune of $50M a year and I'm not sure if that includes manufacturing costs.

Anybody know?

 

tires are just about the most important thing on a race car. I like that with tires being equal, it comes down to vehicle engineering, strategy, and driving. Throw tire manufactures into the mix, and immediately the other factors are largely overshadowed.

 

The 2005 season for Ferrari send shivers down my spine...

 

I don't know, I thought that Bridgestone were leaving because it was the end of their contract and they didn't want to re-new it. Thats what I presume anyway, otherwise why would they leave if they're still under contract to supply with F1, and I haven't heard of any buying out contracts.

 

The rational for prime and option was to reduce by a factor of two what tires the teams had to choose between. In the slicks there are 4 tire compounds from super soft, soft, medium and hard. The interrior construction varries depending on the track and the expected temperatures of the track. So a tire not consumed on the weekened in question is likely to be a pure loss for the manufacuter.

Thus, the prime and option--the manufacture only has to make 1/2 as many tires, the teams still get some choice--the problem is mandating having to use both--which is s.t.u.p.i.d.

Another BIG problem is the lack of time to test tires (cars, motors, aero...) in real life situations.

I can see the rational, but I seriously think the rational is nothing more than a rationalization. The problem remains. too many choices and too little time to optimze the car for the tires.

Now if FIA, FOCA, FOTA wanted to actually reduce costs, mandate that the tires have to last as long as the engine.

 

Competition is always better. Period.

 

Personally, i don't think so. It's was just another silly FIA idea for 'spicing' up the sport.

 

IF the FIA allow multiple tire suppliers and Michelen do come in. I have a feeling bridgestone will stay.

 

+1

However, it's got to be roughly a 50/50 split between suppliers - It's not fair if one supplier only supports one or two teams.

I suspect JT's sucking up to Michelin right now, and IIRC they've said they'd only be interested in coming back if there's another supplier.

Tyre wars are *great* for reducing lap times!......

Cheers,
Ian

 

Good points.

 

+1

 

Review this thread for Bridgestone's 'not just no, but hell no' response to supplying tires next year:

Bridgestone out

>8^)
ER

 

But, IIRC, one of their reasons for pulling out was they didn't want to continue as the exclusive supplier - *IF* JT and his boys can get Michelin or Goodyear involved they may reconsider (?)

Cheers,
Ian