Michelin ready to return as Formula 1 tyre supplier - F1 news - AUTOSPORT.com --Although Pirelli fulfilled the brief, the downside has resulted in drivers being unable to push to the limit, instead being forced to preserve their tyres. When asked as to what he dislikes about the current F1 tyres, Couasnon said: "Tyres should offer stable performance and grip levels.--
Well, to be fair to Pirelli, F1 tires are spec'd by the FIA governing body- not by individual (driver, pitcrew, or team) complaints to the press. If Michelin were the 2015 F1 tire supplier, there would be no difference in performance. This article makes it sound like Michelin went with 18 inch tires because of Michelin's decision to do so. To say, "Tyres should offer stable performance and grip levels..." has nothing to do with who makes the tire. Tire sizes (18 inches) and compounds (soft, medium, hard, etc.) are specifications governed by FIA F1 rules and regulations- no matter who supplies them. Michelin and other tire suppiers will be in the running to pick up F1's tire supplier contract once Pirelli's contract runs out. But the problems with tires hasn't been the supplier. It has been the FIA rules and regulations governing F1 - hoping to make F1 more interesting to fans by increasing pit stops and having tire degradation strategy.
F**k Michelin I flew my family to watch Indy GP and only 6 cars ran Got tix money back but screwed on airfare
I'd like to see Michelin back with this change in the rules: each race will have hard, soft, inter and rain compounds, with NO requirement that each dry compound must be used during the race. Let the teams choose the tire best suited to their chassis and strategy, and no tire requirement carryover from qualifying. Either that or allow more than one manufacturer in. That would be the best solution. More competition.
More importantly, would the tire constructors want a tire war? I'm sure Pirelli won't be in favour. Maybe Michelin is starting the talks to gauge if Pirelli wants out of the sport and therefore lining themselves back into F1. I'd love a tire war again...!
Michelin has stated in the past that it wasn't interested in being the sole supplier. WE will see it they apply to replace Pirelli at the end of the present contract. After Bridgestone and Pirelli, I don't know if many tyre manufacturers are interested in getting the FIA contract to supply the whole F1 grid. Having hegemony is one thing, but to be forced to supply tyres of inferior quality and durability must be hearbreaking for the specialists. Pirelli could provide better tyres, more durable, but they are obliged to alter their compound just to satisfy the GP script and add some artificial "excitement". It cannot do Pirelli's image much good to see drivers constantly complaining about them, and I doubt if that boost their sales. Maybe the tyres should be branded FIA and produced by any tyre manufacturer. But I cannot see a tyre war coming back; not under the cost cutting drive the FIA wants to follow.
I would like to see different tire manufacturers. Let each team choose what fits better for their chassis. The same way teams choose their engine supplier. That would make the sport more interesting.
Competition is good. Let the teams pick the tires they want for the next race on Monday after the GP. You make the best tire you win. If not, you lose. Such is life in the marketplace. And tire makers can charge whatever the market will bear. Better tire, more money. Nobody uses your tire...you're fired aka sacked.
Tire wars would be pointless. One manufacturer will produce the better team and anyone on the wrong tire looses all the races. What's the interest in that? We are constantly complaining about the problems we have because the engines perform differently - this is the same situation. At least now we have level playing field on equipment with the team performance deltas down to strategy and how the cars get the tires to work. That's fine by me.
Bernie say's a Michelin return would be bad for F1!: Ecclestone: Michelin ideas bad for F1 - Formula 1 - Eurosport Australia
I agrre with you: in an ideal world, you know that the laws of competition are best. But this is F1 with vested interests... Beside, which tyre manufacturer would invest in F1, if there is no certainty it will get some return?
I think we will have to see Bernie's demise before anything changes... Sad to say, but here again, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
People lime to knock bernie but he's truly made f1 a global sport and his business acumen is second to none
