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[darwin dali]

F1Live reports about Jerez slicks (based on GP2 specs) and then mentions: 'It is also reported that tyre-warming blankets will not be allowed in 2008.'

Now THAT has been under the radar and might well have a greater impact on drivers than the TC ban! Think quali, think outlaps after pitstops during the race - the tires will be VERY different to handle compared to in the past. Cold tires - the recipe for disaster for some drivers in some races

[madbrad]

Oh yeah I forgot about thet. I heard it a looooong time ago.

[darwin dali]

Well, it hasn't been discussed much, has it?

In the past, drivers were complaining about or blaming cold tires for their failings or mishaps - and they HAD the tire blankets, so it couldn't have been that bad and really cold tires were probably very rare (see FM struggling).
Now with the blankets gone, it'll be a common occurrence. Sure, some drivers might get used to it and master the challenge quite well, but the performance penalty will always be there - offering opportunities for overtaking and exciting racing?

[deMuRe]

F1Live reports about Jerez slicks (based on GP2 specs) and then mentions: 'It is also reported that tyre-warming blankets will not be allowed in 2008.'

Now THAT has been under the radar and might well have a greater impact on drivers than the TC ban! Think quali, think outlaps after pitstops during the race - the tires will be VERY different to handle compared to in the past. Cold tires - the recipe for disaster for some drivers in some races

Looks like the FIA just might be listening to their fans after all. This will really spice things up, no TC and cold tyres

Certainly going to sort the boys from the men...

[Martin]

Grip is one element, but probably the main element is tyre pressures. I suspect that it wont take long before a pressure release valve is designed, so that cold tyres can be pumped higher and release the pressure as the tyre warms up. Maybe a spray on substance to make the tyre more 'sticky' for a lap or so.
These guys seem to find a way around most things dont they.
Thats why F1 is the best motor sport in the world - despite Bernie & Max!

[cap-dude]

Well, it hasn't been discussed much, has it?

In the past, drivers were complaining about or blaming cold tires for their failings or mishaps - and they HAD the tire blankets, so it couldn't have been that bad and really cold tires were probably very rare (see FM struggling).
Now with the blankets gone, it'll be a common occurrence. Sure, some drivers might get used to it and master the challenge quite well, but the performance penalty will always be there - offering opportunities for overtaking and exciting racing?

Hungary this year.
That would be an absoulte no brainer to be honest, warming the tyres up gives an even playing feild for quali, it just means it will actually become more about the car, since some cars are able to get heat into the tyres better than others.

[darwin dali]

Or it becomes more about the driver, since some drivers are able to get heat into the tires better than others and/or can cope better with under-par tires.

[cap-dude]

Yeah but look at Sutil, the amount of times he had cold tyre probelms was mad.

Either way, a driver on warm tyres will always be faster than one on cold tyres, so you can't say thats fair

[7UpJordan]

Looks like the big moves in F1 regulations are now putting more emphasis on the driver. Sometimes even when tyre blankets have been used on tyres beforehand, it's easy to go mess it up on cold tyres, a'la Gerhard Berger coming out of the pits at Estoril in 1993 - and that was with Traction Control too!

[EwanM]

Looks like the big moves in F1 regulations are now putting more emphasis on the driver. Sometimes even when tyre blankets have been used on tyres beforehand, it's easy to go mess it up on cold tyres, a'la Gerhard Berger coming out of the pits at Estoril in 1993 - and that was with Traction Control too!

I remember that...
Gerhard in 93... oh dear

[texasmr2]

Yes I also remember watching Gerhard's 'infamous' pit exit. If or when F1 return's to running slick's I will support the use of tire blanket's. I see and understand the good and both the evil side of using them but I feel the good outweighs the bad as the tire's will only be CLOSER too correct operating tempature and a few lap's must be driven before they become 'TRUE". Atleast they wont be driving on 'black ice' so to speak.

[EwanM]

When exactly is Jerez testing, it'll be great seeing f1 cars running with slicks again?

[bud]

Ferrari tested slicks last year at Mugello thanks to their marriage to Bridgestone using their GP2 spec tyres.

so once again Ferrari will have the upper hand with Bridgestones, on slick tyres if they come back to the fore

[darwin dali]

Yadda yadda yadda...

[bud]

easy to overlook isnt it DD just say yes... just say yes....