Michelin Vs Bridgestone?

[ralf fan]

Well at the start of the year everyone agreed that this was going to be Michelin's year.... yet Bridgestone have worked hard and managed to win 6 of the 7 GP's held this year.

However you have to look at what Michelin have done for Bar.. they have improved leaps and bounds but you cant credit all of that improvement to a simple change in tires...

So a simple question... Which is the better company at this present time? Michelin or Bridgestone.

[Tweed]

I was hoping there'd be a Ferrari-influenced Bridgestone option, but, due to Bridgestone winning 6 of 7 when in a minority I've had to go for them and their race pace

[Kicking-back]

I've a feeling BAR might be doing even better if they had stayed on Bridgestones.

Bridgestone seem to have made a much bigger winter improvement than Michelin.

Principally because their tyres last for more than a couple of laps.

[grumpy1]

Please take the performance of Bridgestone into context.
Take Ferrari/MS out of the equation and then look at the performance of the rest of the Bridgestone runners.They have all struggled with there tyres including the Ferrari clone Sauber.The only reason Bridgestone have six wins is the MS/Ferrari factor being so far ahead of the rest of the feild.Ferrari are just so far ahead of everyone else it makes it hard to be objective in this sort of pole.
As Uncle Bernie said after the 3rd round Ferrari could be on go-crt tyres and still be at the front.

The Grumpy1

[Adam43]

Michelin generally, Bridgestone specifically.

[Kicking-back]

Originally posted by AdamAshmore
Michelin generally, Bridgestone specifically.

Very astute, as ever!

[grumpy1]

Originally posted by AdamAshmore
Michelin generally, Bridgestone specifically.

You will get splinters where the sun don't shine sitting on the fence Adam

The Grumpy1

[climb]

As far as now, BS seem a bit better overall; they have caucht up with the french foes in heat, and still lead under cool/wet conditions.

ralfie, I don't think BAR improvement be due to Michelin tyres.

[Glen]

Look at where all the other Bridgestone cars are - specifically Sauber. Michelin are streets better. If the Ferraris were on Michelins they would lap the field.

[BootsOntheSide]

Seems like we msotly agree that it's close. BAR's improvement suggests Michelin, but Ferrari's domiannce hints at Bridgestone. None of the other Bridgestone teamslook likely to challenge on paper, and Sauber have been upper-midfield in the last couple of races.

[Kicking-back]

I don't think Ferrari's performance would be improved by switching to Michelin.

The Bridgestone seems a much more consistent race tyre - as evidenced by the "drop off" from Michelin cars after the first lap.

And Sauber's recent improvement also hints at the race-day edge belonging to Bridgestone.

[fog_shadow]

Originally posted by AdamAshmore
Michelin generally, Bridgestone specifically.

exactly!!

[climb]

... what?

[pole2pole]

Ferrari and brigestone have developed a tyre that is on a completely different level from ANY other team on the grid. Its the brigestones by a mile.

[graves]

Seems to me that the conditions have to be just right for Michelins to perform really well, but boy do they perform when they do! Bridgestones seem to be more consistent through a wider range of conditions, so for me Bridgestones get the vote. Just.

[Snrub]

I don't think there is any way for us to tell. I'd say they're pretty close this year.

[Spudgun]

Originally posted by Kicking-back
I've a feeling BAR might be doing even better if they had stayed on Bridgestones.

BAR were mid-field at best on Bridgestones last year. Ok, Geoff Willis designed this years car, but the jump is just too spectacular just from car design alone.

IMO, if anyone is runing Bridgestone other rhan Ferrsri, then they haven't a chance. The Bridgestone is developed specifically for Ferrari, the others just get what they are given. Even if they are the same spec, they're still optimised for the F2004.

I really think BAR made the right move.

[BootsOntheSide]

For anyone other than Ferrari, Michelin is the bette roption, partly because they will get full support, and also because it gives them a cahnce to win on the 3-4 days a year when Michelins are the tyres to have. Being on Bridgestones might put them a little bit closer for the other 14 races (and that's debatable), but it's far easier to win on Michelins.

[Dani Filth]

not that true . if Williams or McLaren would race Bridgestones .. i don;t think we would have the Ferrari/Bridgestone situation .

[freud]

Bridgestone has utterly dominated the michelins.

[neilap]

I think Michelin makes the better tire. Their tires work on more than one car. BS specializes in what Ferrari/MS wants in a car. They could not care any less about the rest of the teams. If BAR was on Michelins last year their improvement this year would not seem like that much of an emormous leap. Besides reliability issues, their biggest drawback last year was that half way through the year BAR was still running tires that they had in Australia while MS had the best at his disposal. If Michelin devoted thier time into Renault the way BS does to Ferrari they would be just as dominant. Hell, if they did that for Sauber, they would be winning races.

[grumpy1]

neilap and spudgun here here if only all would belive the truth about B/Stone/Ferrari/MS relationship.
Put simply you get what your given if your cars not painted red.

The Grumpy1
P.S. Its not the first time I've said it either