Bernie Ecclestone has just announced on the BBC that Pirelli have won the tyre contract for F1 and that it is a three year contract. (Anybody really surprised? )
Good for them. I know they're the whipping boy, but there's a lot to be said for the devil you know IMO. Although, I think I'd have liked to see the Michelin "low profile" approach. Cheers, Ian
As has been mentioned in many other threads on the subject, Pirelli only produce what F1 asks for. I'm sure if they were given a free reign to do what they wanted to do then things would be a lot different.
The problem with allowing the tyre suppliers to do what is best for their companies though is that it would make the racing more boring! Pirelli have taken a massive gamble by producing tyres that wear quickly, have a performance drop off and run the risk of wearing out completely. For a tyre company that's actually the last thing you want the public to think of when they think of your tyres. If Pirelli had their way, they make tyres that perform excellently from the start of the race to the end, with no wear at all and no performance drop off. The trouble with that is, then there would be no need for anyone to change tyres and everyone would simply end up following each other round and round and round, just like in "the good old days".
That's not the "Michelin low profile approach"....Pirelli wants 18 inch as well. It's whether or not F1/CVC is willing to change the rules. Pirelli reveal 18-inch tyre design ahead of test · F1 Fanatic https://twitter.com/lotus_f1team/status/486785959611351040 etc.
Pirelli have stated that they have plans to make changes to the tyres in the future, with some new innovations that they want to bring in for 2017 onwards, and are pushing for more testing next June, preferably with a current season car (possibly modified to some sort of 2017 specification).
Nice look at the situation Pirelli now assumes as the supplier continuing - Pirelli rethink tyred-out formula | F1 News
