Have Bridgestone gone too soft?

Glen · 29 May 2003, 15:58 (Ref:613777)

Last year Michelin were very much in need of a win by this time in the season, and they had been accused of using tyres which were too conservative. As a result they brought ultra-sticky rubber to Monaco 2002 and we saw several cars with delaminating tyres. Now, in 2003, the Bridgestone tyres seem very quick over the one lap - but I was reading Button's decription of his qualifying lap and he mentions that he was, on the one hand, trying to cool the tyres in the first sector and, on the other hand, experiencing graining at the end of the lap. To me that sounds like a pretty fragile tyre.

I hope the Michelins can perform better in the race - the prospect of a pack of Williams, Renaults and McLarens breathing down the necks of Ferraris and BARs on deteriorating tyres is certainly one that I relish.

Logrence · 29 May 2003, 16:02 (Ref:613786)

The Bridgestone runners may end up having to compromise on strategy...

Neil C · 29 May 2003, 16:03 (Ref:613787)

Good food for thought.

In lieu of actual passing on the track, "breathing down the neck" is probably the best we can hope for.

That, and rain.

Hugh Jarce · 29 May 2003, 16:18 (Ref:613810)

Yeah - but if there is rain - the Michelin's will have to sit behind the safety car for political reasons just to save the Bridgestone runners from utter shame with their dry-wet tyre!

Mattracer · 30 May 2003, 04:05 (Ref:614319)

Glen,

That presupposes that BAR will run ahead of Williams, Renault and McLaren, which I doubt.

Anyway, "cooling the tyres" sounds a bit like a contradiction in terms, rather like "saving the engine".

JohnSSC · 30 May 2003, 04:42 (Ref:614335)

What has Mrs. Bridgestone to say about this?

Seriously, if JB is needing to cool his tires during a one-shot qualifying lap then the Bridgestones in question may be very questionable!

JohnSSC · 30 May 2003, 04:43 (Ref:614336)

Sorry for the double post, but do we really take JB seriously when he comments from a technical standpoint? Are there any other drivers making a similar statement?

Mr V · 30 May 2003, 05:58 (Ref:614361)

Quote:

Originally posted by JohnSSC
do we really take JB seriously when he comments from a technical standpoint?

Being a Jenson fan, i'll ignore that remark John

however, what happens with the tyres on the BAR (and the Sauber, Jordan and Minardi) will be totally different with what happens to the Bridgestones on the Ferrari.

Glen · 30 May 2003, 08:44 (Ref:614493)

Do we take him seriously? What - you mean the first driver behind the two Ferraris? I don't think you put your car there without some technical know-how. Duh.

Glen · 30 May 2003, 08:57 (Ref:614501)

Ah - this could explain it.... rumours are going round that Ferrari, and possibly other Bridgestone teams, are running qualifying tyres for the pre-qualifying session. They are not required to pick their race tyres until the Saturday session. Hopefully this means that the Michelin times look artificially bad, although Ferrari and the others have achieved their objective of running late and on more ruber on Saturday. How ironic it will be if the late runners get rain!

Logrence · 30 May 2003, 10:11 (Ref:614548)

Quote:

Originally posted by JohnSSC
Sorry for the double post, but do we really take JB seriously when he comments from a technical standpoint? Are there any other drivers making a similar statement?

So you're better qualified to talk about F1 cars?

He drives the

things, he might have an inkling of what he's talking about...

Knowlesy · 30 May 2003, 10:17 (Ref:614558)

What has Mrs. Bridgestone to say about this?

JohnSSC · 30 May 2003, 10:26 (Ref:614568)

Attack the post, not the poster Logrence! Geez!

Point: JB is 22 years old. I am simply asking if he had to "manage" his tires because of some measure of inexperience. My question then was "are some of the more experienced/technically oriented drivers saying the same thing?

I did not say or imply that I am better qualified to talk about them, not that JB doesn't have an inkling.

Holy Smokes Batman! If that is the attitude then: A) how many people here are actually qualified to say anything and B) wouldn't that make the forum interesting if only those with the proper qualifications were allowed to post and C) Yes Glen i am aware that it takes technical know-how to pre-qualify way high up on the grid.

There are some drivers though who are more technically oriented than others, was just wondering what else had been said.

I will just leave this thread to all of the much more highly qualified members so that they may discuss things properly...

Glen · 30 May 2003, 10:39 (Ref:614580)

I think the ultra-soft qualifying tyres rumour would explain why other drivers are keeping quiet about this.

JohnSSC · 30 May 2003, 10:42 (Ref:614584)

Thank you Glen!

billyblister · 30 May 2003, 12:06 (Ref:614648)

Wait, before we kill each other on this Button is driving the BAR, which is basically last years Williams and we saw how that baby used to EAT its tyres so quickly. good in quals not so good in race.

**Adam43** · 30 May 2003, 12:54 (Ref:614706)

The BAR does indeed take some design clues (and personel) from Williams, but I'm not we can assume that it hence eats it's tyres (engines, maybe!

).

Glen · 30 May 2003, 13:26 (Ref:614736)

Can't remember who (could have been a Renault spokesman) but I do remember a comment on tv at Austria that was along the lines of the BAR being particularly gentle on its tyres. Certainly I haven't noticed them doing short stints without other good reason in previous races this year. Having said that we do come back to the trend for Monaco for extremly borderline/ultra-soft tyres - which Michelin have spoken about in their recent press release.

I think all will become clear on Saturday - the (race) Michelins will perform much better, relatively speaking, and I don't expect BAR to show nearly as highly onthe grid.

Logrence · 30 May 2003, 16:21 (Ref:614938)

Quote:

Originally posted by JohnSSC
Attack the post, not the poster Logrence! Geez!

So is your post better qualified to talk about Formula One cars?

Mr V · 30 May 2003, 16:24 (Ref:614943)

Quote:

Originally posted by Logrence
So is your post better qualified to talk about Formula One cars?

Johns post isn't attacking anyone. As for talking about F1 cars, isn't that what we're all here to do?

neilap · 30 May 2003, 16:38 (Ref:614961)

Ahh tires, so does this mean that Webber is using the softest tires that Michelin offers? I mean he has been able to take a midfield car and run among the top teams but in the races he has not delivered yet! I think JB and BAR just got it right yesterday. Other teams like Renault are still coming to grips. The BAR does not eat tires the way the Williams did.

All the tires have an optimal operating temp as we all know. Maybe JB was working the tires too hard on his out lap. That would explain his need to "cool his tires". As for saving the engine, Honda has not had a motor fail in a race all year (I hope I did not just jinx them). I dont think JB needed to save anything. He went out with a light car and hauled a$$. GW himself said that teams still run with heavier fuel during 1st qualifying because it the next day that counts as well as the race. So that could explain some teams being slower.

JohnSSC · 30 May 2003, 21:47 (Ref:615272)

Thank you Mr V!

Logrence, I really think that we are all here to post and talk about F1, whatever our qualifications.

If you would like to question me or my qualifications further, a PM would be the best avenue and the least waste of time for the other forum members.

Dutton · 31 May 2003, 21:05 (Ref:616146)

Well, following qualy "proper", it would appear Michelin have a superior tyre... The race may turn out different, it is all a bit tricky to judge really. One thing for sure, tomorrow is going to be a challenging race...

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