New tyre rules?

[Wrex]

From www.grandprix.com

THERE have been talks in recent weeks between the FIA and the two Formula 1 tire companies in an effort to work out how to keep lap times in check despite there being a highly-competition "tire war" between Bridgestone and Michelin. We understand that the tire companies were given a variety of choices to consider and both agreed that they would be happy to have racing without pit stops. They proposed this to the federation but we understand that the idea was rejected by Formula 1's commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone as he is worried that it would have a detrimental effect on the show being produced.

The next step is not clear but it possible that there could be a reduction of the number of tires available or a change in the number of grooves per tire

Well does'nt that figure. Bernies worried that without pitstops we'll stop watching Formula One. Will someone pleeeeeeeeaaaaaaase tell this idiot that the passing we want is not done in the pits!!!!

[Red]

Well, the tyre makers would be happy to make a 1 set of tyres race; they want to prove that they make resistend tyres etc. But the engine makers would not be that happy; they want to prove that they make "powerful" engines not fuel efficient. But they can try to make "refuelling only/flat tyres" pitstops.

The idea of reducing the number of the available tyres doesn't work either, since FIA's concern is that during practice sessions there isn't enough action on track because the teams want to save as much tyres they can. That leaves oh boy, ANOTHER GROOVE!

[Jack racer]

Well ha they should just put them on space savers and be done with it.

[Gt_R]

They came up with a good idea to increase action during practice sessions...but are going to kill it with "one-engine-a-weekend" rule... silly huh?

Anyway, having pit-stops doesn't neccessarily mean seeing overtaking done in the pit stop... it does adds a lot to racing on track. Just watch last year, when Rubens get on a different fuel strategy to others... he made many quality overtaking moves... And in Montreal, we see different drivers on different strategies trying very hard to make their strategy work to their favour. And of course..overtaking in the pits... If anything, i want pit stops to stay..it does add to the race!

[Red]

Yeah and the best example of increased action due to different strategies is Jos.

Off topic: a blown engine means the end of a practice session even according to current regs since they're not allowed to take the spare car. Besides, the engine can be fixed...

[Wrex]

Originally posted by Jack racer
Well ha they should just put them on space savers and be done with it.

Its' funny because its true

[Hugh Jarce]

Originally posted by Red
Well, the tyre makers would be happy to make a 1 set of tyres race; they want to prove that they make resistend tyres etc.

Interesting one! That's what the tyre companies may want you to think, but when I studied design at Uni we looked at the issue of built in obsolescence.

If tyres are too good, we don't end up needingd to buy replacements - therefore, its in the manufacturers interests to ensure a reasonable level of wear or they will lose profits.

A guy called Vance Packard wrote a fascintaing book on such stuff called the 'Waste Makers' which highlights how us the punters are ripped off by deliberately naff technology and quality, even though the stuff is marketed as being the best or 'leading edge'!

Mmmmm I wonder how that applies to F1 tyres?

I feel a possible conspiracy theory coming on!

[Red]

Yeah, they don't want tyres that last forever. Just one month longer than competitor's.

[Hugh Jarce]

Let face it, we can now discover whether there is water on Mars!

If they wanted they could create tyres that would outlive the average banger that you or I drive and create F1 tyres that could last a whole race.

That's my take. So all this pit stop stuff is probably nonsense.

Tyres are obviously designed to wear out and be quick with a one or two stopper in mind.

Having said that the pit stops are sometimes are interesting when wheels get stuck, fuel rigs don't work, highly paid drivers stall and sometimes run over their team mate's foot!

[Gt_R]

A set of tires that last a race? Might as well use a set of tires for a season!

[Red]

Hugh,
Oh yes, conspiracy theory. Actually you're not far from truth. Back there in sixties, a F1 driver usually used 1-2 sets of tyres PER SEASON! Of course they can make a tyre that lasts a race. But eventually someone will decide that if they want to go fast or faster than competitors they should use 2 sets in the same race..

[Sodemo]

Pit stops are a total disaster. They have ruined F1, has everyone forgotten that fuel stops only came back in in 1994?
Before then we saw great action ,as cars could go without stopping at all, I recall Damon Hill not stopping at Hockenheim in 1993, only for his tyre to blow.

Fuel stops should go, tyre stops should stay!

[Champ69]

"They came up with a good idea to increase action during practice sessions...but are going to kill it with "one-engine-a-weekend" rule... silly huh?"

Very good point there.

[steve_r]

A couple of times this years drivers have gone the whole race on the same set of tyres, I cannot remember which race, but I seem to remember that Williams have done it.

[Mr V]

Originally posted by steve_r
A couple of times this years drivers have gone the whole race on the same set of tyres, I cannot remember which race, but I seem to remember that Williams have done it.

it's usually the michelin runners and they keep the same set of fronts! we saw Fisi do it at spa last year and JPM didn't change the fronts at Canada last weekend either!

[Sodemo]

They should ban refueling, its an unnessasary danger, it would also make the cars pass on the track