Here's a good read for those interested. Personally IMHO, the tire rules for this year are an abomination. http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns14940.html
kimi spent alot of time smashing curbs and mowing the lawn which may have just helped his tyre problem. mcC had the option to bring him in and change the tyre, but i think they were trying to win the race, eh?. if we legislate those decisions, we can just watch slot cars
The way things are shaping up, we will have one spec tire for all teams and that will just be the start. The FIA's dream would be to have: 1) Michelin tires on all cars 2) Renault engines in all cars 3) Renault chassis painted in differet colors In the end of the day, the FIA, Mechelin and teams supporting the new tire regulations will hurt themseleves. 1) I agree that cost in the short run have gone down, but in the long run the costs for one tire manufacturer to support the entire F1 field is high. There is a a diminishing scale to returns for Mechilin once it crosses supporting over 6 teams. (I will try and provide some numerical data shortly) 2) The FIA will hurt themselves because if Michelin becomes the only tire manufacturer, F1 can no longer claim to be the pinnacle of motorsport. No series can claim to be at the top of all motorsport if there is no competition between manufacturers. 3) The teams that currently like the tire rules and are pushing for one tire manufacturer will also pay dearly. What happens when Michelin decide they will favor one team over others? What happens when Mechilin decide that they will manufacture and devlope tires that work well for one or two teams? Competition leads to better performance. The day mechilin find out that they are the only manufacturer in F1 and have a contract, is the day they will try and maximize profits instead of performance. Currently there are only 2 teams that are fighting hard to keep F1 from falling apart. Ferrari have always been the team to keep F1 together and will continue to fight against the current Mickey Mouse rules. But I have some new found respect for another team.... I am going to eat my own words... In the past I have called them a glorified billboard and compared them to Minardi. I was completely wrong. RedBull racing has more than proved its worthiness as an F1 team. They are another proponent to keep F1 from becoming a spec series. RedBull and Dietrich Mateschitz have decided to take F1 seriously and not just another form of marketing. They realize that there role in F1 is to increase competition and that the way the rules are being changed it will only result in lack thereof. The more teams that realize what is happening to the sport the better chances there will be to stop the current demize of F1. Anyone that thinks that f1 is going through a revival is only kidding themsleves. F1 has never faced so many issues as currently being faced. It will take creative and wise minds such as the ones at Ferrari and RedBull to revive F1.
Max Mosley thinks the tire rule is sane and lays the responsibility solely with the teams (and the stewards in a way): http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.php?fes_art_id=24675 Talking about sticking your head in the sand.
It's called CYA.........Covering Your Ass.......... He's trying to put the blame back on the teams if someone in the stands gets injured or worse killed when a tyre failure goes really bad.
Very, Very interesting. I did not know ALL the teams petitioned for one tire "except" for Ferrari. I'll bet they are second guessing themselves now. d
Perhaps. But it appears that Bridgestone with Red Bull on the books for next year are also petitioning Williams for next year as well if you believe this: http://www.planet-f1.com/news/story_19754.shtml