Control tyre contract 2008-on

[Marbot]

Bids being taken now,anyone interested. http://www.crash.net/news_view~t~FIA...~id~130768.htm

[Knowlesy]

Bring back Goodyear!

I pray most of all for Kwik-Fit tyres. The exposure for their woeful budget tyres would be unprecedented.

[esorniloc]

Bring back Englebert!!!!!!!!

[ralf fan]

Avon!!

[Dutton]

Pirelli would be cool (or are they owned by another?).

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by esorniloc

Bring back Englebert!!!!!!!!

I didn't even know he was ill.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Dutton

Pirelli would be cool (or are they owned by another?).

Pirelli supply the (control?) tyres for world super bikes,so i reckon they're on their own.

[Marbot]

More info.http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns16851.html

[SALEEN S7R]

Bridgestone would seem the most logical choice, IMO. They do after all supply the GP2 series with slick tyres which just happen to be identical in dimensions to those of Formula One. The tyres that GP2 use would be perfect for F1 and would cut costs as they are already a proven tyre and therefore would require less testing than those of a completly new car. Remember, GP2 cars are identical to F1 in terms of dimensions, if not technically. They also aren't that far away on the power side of things with the engines knocking out just over 600bhp. Also I doubt the costs would increase as much as having a new tyre supplier enter the championship would, why? Logistics, Bridgestone are already with the F1 circus and I cant help thinking it woudnt cost them as much to transport more tyres for F1 as it would for a manufacturer new to F1. Initally at least.

Still I guess this isnt too likely to happen as it makes too much sense financially. If the FIA are serious about cutting costs though it must surely be one option that they are looking very closely at. IMO.

[Dutton]

However, that decision would be evidence of a FIA conspiracy to help Ferrari.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Dutton

However, that decision would be evidence of a FIA conspiracy to help Ferrari.

Indeed,so it might be a good idea if they used the Firestone brand name.

[Dutton]

Nah, Firestone should be kept for Indy only.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Dutton

Nah, Firestone should be kept for Indy only.

So we'll just have to put up with the conspiracy theories then won't we.

[Dutton]

Oh, sorry, was using the Firestone branding a serious suggestion? My mistake.

Would it really work though? It woiuldn't exactly be subtle...or would it be one of these things that only the likes of us would realise it was Bridgestone-in-disguise?

I guess if it could dupe the viewer at large it may well be an idea.

[slicktoast]

Are the GP2 tires the same dimensions as the current F1 tires? Aren't the tires supposed to be of a different dimension (even wheel size) for 2008? If the answer is yes to both of these, then how will Bridgestones (in 2008) be an advantage for the current Bridgestone runners when that season comes? Just think of the last 2 years of Ferrari/Bridgestone; same tyre dimensions/type, yet when they had to last all race they were turdz compared to the year before. I think the Bridgestone runners advantage come 2008 is overstated. Wouldn't it be cool they all got bid snookered by Kuhmo

[Dutton]

Yup, the dimensions do change a bit for 2008. I forgot about that.

I had never really considered 2008 an advantage at the worst of times anyway, seeing as the teams would have had 2007.

It is 2007 where the question mark can be put.

[chillibowl]

just read another article about this, here.

"The tyres will be tested and developed by the top five teams who will each be invited to do 1000km of testing with the new tyres."

does this strike anyone as strange? is it a one time thing just to get the 2008 tires ready or will this be the process every year?

its not a problem for the back of the grid teams as they are rarely in a position financially to contribute to pre season/ winter testing in regards to their tire supplier, but what about the mid fielders?

not being able to test and have input into the construction of the tires will surley be just another disadvantage that will keep them from competiting with the big money spenders. its not just the lack of competition that a one tire supplier formula that bothers me, but rather that if they are going to go this way why not force the company that wins the contract to treat everyone as equals, i.e. let all teams have equal input.

[JeremySmith]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

just read another article about this, here.

"The tyres will be tested and developed by the top five teams who will each be invited to do 1000km of testing with the new tyres."

does this strike anyone as strange? is it a one time thing just to get the 2008 tires ready or will this be the process every year?

its not a problem for the back of the grid teams as they are rarely in a position financially to contribute to pre season/ winter testing in regards to their tire supplier, but what about the mid fielders?

not being able to test and have input into the construction of the tires will surley be just another disadvantage that will keep them from competiting with the big money spenders. its not just the lack of competition that a one tire supplier formula that bothers me, but rather that if they are going to go this way why not force the company that wins the contract to treat everyone as equals, i.e. let all teams have equal input.

I agree with you. If the mid fielders are good enough to compete in races, then they should be allowed to give their feedback as far as the tyres are concerned.