FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[Jensonb]

Surprise for you.

The grapevine tells me it's either Michelin or (The FiA's prefence) somehow convince Bridgestone not to quit.

[7UpJordan]

The FIA are so far up Bridgestone's arses it's unbelievable. Bring GoodYear back, then at least it'll also give us a little bit of that American presence we've been waiting for.

[Jensonb]

My vote goes to unrestricted tyre choice. Any manufacturer who wants to supply a range, should be able to supply a range.

Added bonus: It would make the tyre degradation factor even more important.

[texasmr2]

My vote goes to unrestricted tyre choice. Any manufacturer who wants to supply a range, should be able to supply a range.

Added bonus: It would make the tyre degradation factor even more important.

[madbrad]

I thought it was Bernie's drive to reduce teams' costs, so poor teams could have a more level playing field, and stop rich teams from ordering superduper tires, that led them to rule for a single tire supplier. I'm not saying I agree with it, but if they still want to pursue that mandate then there will still be but one tire supplier.

[texasmr2]

I thought it was Bernie's drive to reduce teams' costs, so poor teams could have a more level playing field, and stop rich teams from ordering superduper tires, that led them to rule for a single tire supplier.

The tire war has been going on since F1's inception and there is no 'superduper secret' tire and never has been. The 'level' playing field is simply a scapegoat instituted by fans because their team had issues with tires ie made the wrong choice because they have had only one supplier to rely on.

No wonder F1 is in the state it is in, !!!

[What's Burning?]

Ultimately the powers that be will get what they want. I wonder if a tire provider can stipulate that no other manufacturer be allowed to provide tires. It all depends on how much money they're putting into the series I guess. The problem with tires is that unlike other components (like engines for example) where you know what you've got because it's measurable, it is the make or break choice for a team. If you have multiple vendors and you get that choice wrong at the beginning of the year, you're done.

Tires is the imminent issue because you've got to have a solution in place for 2011, but the biggest limitation to the sport today is the testing restrictions.

[madbrad]

I didn't say super secret, I said super duper. I only meant that rich teams could afford to pay for the best, and poor teams could not, even having to go with the cheapest brand. Maybe going to one tire supplier didn't reduce the cost to the poor teams but it removed the rich teams ability to buy an advantage. We all know the advantage of money spread the field out so anything expensive had to go. The same reasoning killed active suspension, ABS, TC, etc. KERS seemed to me a contradiction of that but I digress.
Anyway, again I'm not saying I subscribe to that reasoning, just that it was at play.

[Denthúl]

My vote goes to unrestricted tyre choice. Any manufacturer who wants to supply a range, should be able to supply a range.

Added bonus: It would make the tyre degradation factor even more important.

Ahem.

Michelin close to Formula 1 return

By Jonathan Noble Thursday, April 1st 2010, 12:24 GMT

Michelin's logoMichelin is closing in on a deal to return to Formula 1 next year, AUTOSPORT has learned, but it may not be as a standard tyre supplier.

Although no final decision has been made, sources have revealed that the French tyre manufacturer is in advanced negotiations with the FIA about the terms of a return for the first time since it quit at the end of 2006.

It is believed that an announcement confirming Michelin's comeback could be made as soon as this month.

Current standard tyre supplier Bridgestone is leaving F1 at the end of this season, with the Japanese company's board deciding that it does not benefit enough to justify its investment in the sport.

Although a replacement standard tyre supplier would require the FIA to go through an official tender process, it is believed there is a chance the governing body will simply open up the entry criteria to allow any qualified manufacturer in - reigniting an F1 tyre war.

Should Michelin give the green light to return, then it could be against other tyre manufacturers such as Hankook and Kumho who have also been linked with a move into F1.

Michelin's last spell in F1 was from 2001 until 2006 – when it enjoyed world title success with Renault but also endured its fair share of controversy, including being forced to withdraw from the 2005 United States Grand Prix on safety grounds.

Michelin was not interested in becoming the sole tyre supplier when the tender process was opened for 2008 – believing it vital that the company faced competition if it was to invest in F1.

Earlier this month Michelin's managing partner Jean-Dominique Senard told the Bloomberg news agency that the French company was open to a move back to F1 if the sport could prove its environmental credentials.

"We might consider returning but there are some very clear conditions," he said.

Interesting stuff.

[Jabberwocky]

I think any company who want to supply tyres can, for nominal fee. this nominal fee is the same for every team and every supplier. IE Teams Pay 5million per year. it is then up to the tyre supplier if they want to spend 100m on tyres or not.

Controls cost.

Also a supplier must supply and equal share in teams. 12 teams with 4 suppliers means they supply 3 each.

[darwin dali]

I think any company who want to supply tyres can, for nominal fee. this nominal fee is the same for every team and every supplier. IE Teams Pay 5million per year. it is then up to the tyre supplier if they want to spend 100m on tyres or not.

Controls cost.

Also a supplier must supply and equal share in teams. 12 teams with 4 suppliers means they supply 3 each.

What if only one team WANTS a certain supplier and most of the others want a different one? Luck of the draw and they get assigned or what?

[7UpJordan]

Return of the tyre wars?

Eeeeeexcellent...

[Jensonb]

My vote goes to unrestricted tyre choice. Any manufacturer who wants to supply a range, should be able to supply a range.

Added bonus: It would make the tyre degradation factor even more important.

Ahem.

...What? Is there a problem?

[texasmr2]

Lets the teams decide what supplier they want because we all know it is going to be solely based on sponsorship anyway right? I mean look at Bergers 1st GP win in the '86 Mexican GP as Pirelli was the teams supplier and yes their soft and intermediate compounds left alot to be desired but their hard compound gave Berger his first F1 win.

Most seem to be crying for equality and then when the FIA makes changes to try to adhere to the request you bitch about not having enough Individuality/choices amongst the teams yada yada yada .

[Jabberwocky]

I think any company who want to supply tyres can, for nominal fee. this nominal fee is the same for every team and every supplier. IE Teams Pay 5million per year. it is then up to the tyre supplier if they want to spend 100m on tyres or not.

Controls cost.

Also a supplier must supply and equal share in teams. 12 teams with 4 suppliers means they supply 3 each.

What if only one team WANTS a certain supplier and most of the others want a different one? Luck of the draw and they get assigned or what?

Because it stops a team getting an advantage over another. What if Ferrari said here is your 5 million Mr Bridgestone, and if you only supply us with tyres as you are the best around we will put them on all out road cars... nudge nudge wink wink.