Return of the tire wars?

There may have been some suggestions of that in the press, or conjecture from insiders, but I don't believe that's ever been part of Bridgestone's comments as they announced their intentions not to renew their contract with Formula 1.

>8^)
ER

 

Given the logistical, technological and production considerations, when do the tire makers have to decide?

 

I'm guessing, but I would think JT will be getting very nervous if there's not an announcement before mid-season (?)

I guess it also depends on who it is - Michelin and/or Goodyear could probably do it pretty fast, the minor players - God forbid, Kumho, Hankook etc - not so much (?)

Cheers,
Ian

 

At this point I'd rule out any maker who does not have some sort of race tire production facility already that can be adapted.
Privately I suspect its too late for any non-committed maker to field a competitive tire for the 2011 season.

 

Michelin will not come back as the sole supplier ??? I hope not ! If they did how many races would be canceled right before the start due the fear of there tires not holding up on high downforce sections ? (even though they ran there before). Sorry – I’m still not happy about that Indy race.

 

I hope we will not have a tire war again:

While they do add to the excitement, they also bring down lap times big time. That in return generates safety concerns. Although most Tilke tracks are mid speed turns, I would bet it would create some problems, maybe not even with the hated Tilke tracks, but with the beloved classic tracks (Eau Rouge anybody?).

And wouldn't that be the ultimate insult: Give Bernie another excuse for axing a classic track in favor of a Bo-raihn snoozefest.

 

Definitly do NOT want to see multile tyre suppliers again. All that will happen (just like before) is that one tyre will be much better than the other(s) and cars wearing that tyre will leave the rest for dead.

Tyre technology is just not interesting enough to be the root cause for deciding who wins races and the championship. It had a disproportionately large effect before & we don't need/want that again.

On top of that, with no testing, whoever starts out in front with better tyres will just stay there for teh season.

The right answer (IMO) is a single supplier but do away with the silly requirement to use multiple compounds & let the teams/drivers decide what tyres they want to race on from within the range offered at any given race.

 

I would love to see the tire wars return again. Remeber the 2006 Chinese GP. A perfect example of how tire wars can spice up the show. But what sort of racing experience do Khumo and Hankook have. I have a feeling that Michelin would just dust them both. I would like to see Michelin vs Bridgestone vs Goodyear vs Pirelli.

 

Are bridgestone still out if another manufacturer joins? I doubt it (haven't read the other thread though). I think its just a threat.

Don't forget, Dunlop makes a large amount of race tires for a lot of racing series in Europe. Pirelli can make some as well (plus the calenders...).

As for the 2005 indy GP, this was because Michelin decided to make lightweight tires. Great for lap times, not so much for safety. How many tires have exploded that season which where michelin? A couple a weekend I think.

 

Let's take it one more step: Allow the teams to choose their tire companies race by race instead of being contracted all year to one mfr. THAT seems like the ultimate form of competition and doesn't leave certain teams in the dark at one circuit or another....the best mfr gets the business wherever their tire works.

OK, it is absurd, but a logical extension of your comment. I'm just sayin'.....

 

That would drive cost up. Remember when all the Michelin teams were forced to switch to Bridgestones? And how they all complained that the new tires completely changed the aero on their cars? Teams would have to develop several specific aero packages for specific set of tires. Unless the FIA mandates that the molds used be exactly the same, I don't see this working.

 

Cooper Avon in the mix!....... What the hell does the evil pygmy have to do with the selection of tire manufacturer(s)?.......From Autosport

Cheers,
Ian

 

Thanks Ian.

Interesting about the proposed wheel size difference. What are the current sizes now? 15 inches?

Presumably a larger wheel would allow for a larger disc and better cooling - with decreased braking distances. So this could signify a move towards steel brakes rather than ceramic... with the increased surface area making up for the change in material.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

Not sure on this, but isn't Avon the "default" tire manufacturer for all the historic F1 cars? If so, they'd deserve a moment in the spot light.

 

Looks Like Avon is serious

http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/15098.html

 

And now Pirelli is throwing there hat into the ring.

http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/15197.html

 

Prediction: We'll see a tire war between Michelin vs. Pirelli, with Michelin, given their F1 experience, most likely having an advantage. The new teams will use cheap Cooper-Avon tires and struggle even more than they do now.

 

Tire war is Stupid Both Driver and car get taken out of the equation

 

What an ignorant comment. Take a poll among people who drive 2100 lb, 600-800 hp Cobras with ZERO driver aids and ask them which tire is the most likely to keep them alive.

 

What an ignorant comment. Cooper-Avon makes good tyres for one type of car. That does not make them experts on F1 tyres.

 

Ha, I was thinking the same thing.