The answer to Formula 1's problems

Anthony_Ferrari · Oct 4, 2004

I found this article very interesting. The full article is here: http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns13577.html

Here is an extract:

Mosley's abilities as a lateral thinker and problem-solver are well known and it is strange that he has not pursued the easiest and most-effective way to solve the current problem he sees in F1. If F1 had control tyres, something that is entirely possible to achieve on the grounds of safety, a lot of others problems would be solved. Mosley has shown in the past that tyre regulation is an effective way to slow F1 cars and there have been very clear signs this year that the F1 tyre war is now delving into dangerous territory with a series of high-speed blowouts in recent months, notably at Indianapolis and Spa. The imposition of a control tyre in F1 would cut lap times and cornering speeds instantly to the levels being demanded by the FIA. Such a move would wipe out the need for 2.4-litre V8s until the end of the Concorde Agreement after which new rules can be discussed in the light of new commercial agreements. This might be reducing engines to 2-litre V6s, to bring engine power down to 600 bhp.

Control tyres would also cut costs significantly as they would mean a stop to all tyre development programmes and thus would save the millions being wasted on this activity by all the big teams. A simple limit on tyre supply would further reduce the ability of teams to test as much as they do. As a sideline it might also make F1 more competitive as one of Ferrari's strongest cards in recent years has been the relationship that exists between Ferrari and Bridgestone. The argument that it might make the sport less exciting is not proven and, as we have seen in rallying, Mosley's duty is first to make the sport safe and secondly to worry about the show.

The popularity of F1 is not Mosley's job.

Different tyre companies do add an extra dimension in F1 but at the same time when we had only one tyre supplier in the 1990s the racing was not bad at all. And besides, the tyre war is now so advanced that differentiation between the different companies has become less and less. Today track position and strategy are more important than anything else. In Shanghai Kimi Raikkonen clearly had a faster car than Rubens Barrichello in the early part of the race but he could not overtake, which forced the team to try a risky strategy.

In the past control tyres have been opposed by Ferrari but when the F1 team bosses discussed the matter in Shanghai there was a show of hands which seemed to indicate that everyone is now in favour of such a move. A show of hands is not written document but if the teams could come up with such an agreement, it is hard to see how or why the FIA would object to such an idea. This would reduce Mosley's fears about safety, would negate the need for the complex and expensive switch to V8s and avoid the risk that small teams would go out of business because they cannot afford to design and build completely new cars. And, by agreeing to limit tyres, the FIA would also remove the problem of arbitration and reduce costs for the teams.

It is the perfect solution to the problem and works at many different levels.

The fact that Ferrari seems to have agreed to the idea is interesting and hints that the recent spat with Ecclestone has driven the Italian team into the arms of the GPWC. This organization is playing an interesting game at the moment. Amid all the negative talk and disaster scenarios being peddled elsewhere, there has been a very solid and telling silence from the GPWC members, who appear to have chosen not to respond to the talk that they will soon abandon the sport. Interestingly, there is a strong possibility that Ford may remain a member of the GPWC, despite its withdrawal from F1. Arguments that the manufacturers use and abuse the sport will not really work when they are sufficiently responsible to stay involved in an organization that is designed to ensure that the sport is stable and can grow.

Solidarity and stability are important weapons in F1 politics at the moment. Ford may have left F1 and Renault may also follow. But the other car companies involved appear to be coming round to the idea that the best course of action is to wait and accept what happens between now and the end of the Concorde Agreement in 2007. By then, they argue, the entire political landscape in F1 will probably have changed.
Click to expand...

What do you think? I can't see the point in the tyre war. It certainly doesn't help Bridgestone or Michelin improve their road tyres. I would be in favour of control tyres, but I think they should also be low-profile tyres that look more like the kind of tyres on high-end road vehicles. Hell, why not make them race on street-legal tyres?

Aureus · Oct 4, 2004

Anthony_Ferrari said:

I found this article very interesting. The full article is here: http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns13577.html

Here is an extract:

What do you think? I can't see the point in the tyre war. It certainly doesn't help Bridgestone or Michelin improve their road tyres. I would be in favour of control tyres, but I think they should also be low-profile tyres that look more like the kind of tyres on high-end road vehicles. Hell, why not make them race on street-legal tyres?
Click to expand...

How many street legal tires do you know of that can handle the braking they pull off in F1?

That said, using spec tires looks like a good idea...

Philjay50 · Oct 4, 2004

Anthony_Ferrari said:

I found this article very interesting. The full article is here: http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns13577.html

Here is an extract:

What do you think? I can't see the point in the tyre war. It certainly doesn't help Bridgestone or Michelin improve their road tyres. I would be in favour of control tyres, but I think they should also be low-profile tyres that look more like the kind of tyres on high-end road vehicles. Hell, why not make them race on street-legal tyres?
Click to expand...

I was just thinking that Street legal may be part of the answer, but as in Rallying there will be Homoligation (spelling) rules and these can always be bent. Lancia Stratos is a good example I think, not a car for the road but street legal !

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