Tyres for 2007

[Marbot]

Flav is in a spin about next seasons tyres.Should Bridgestone users get to keep this seasons constructions and compounds or should it be a fresh start?
http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=35944

[Knowlesy]

I believe it should be a fresh start, purely to keep things civilised.

But Michelin may yet still be in it next year.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by knowlesy

But Michelin may yet still be in it next year.

Doing what?

[Knowlesy]

Err...supplying tyres.

They announced their withdrawal last year. But are considering a U-Turn.

The control tyres are due officially in 2008, so Michelin can go back on their decision for one last hurrah.

[Marbot]

They'd better make their minds up quick,before Mclaren et al start designing next years car.

[Sodemo]

Slicks would be a good place to start.

New construction, new compound, more mechanical grip.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by The Monster

more mechanical grip.

err...not necessarily.

[pdman]

Originally Posted by The Monster

Slicks would be a good place to start.

Oh yes please ..... yes yes yes yes

[brands]

Originally Posted by The Monster

Slicks would be a good place to start.

Indeed so but that won't happen as the cars would be too fast ( in Max's eyes).
Slicks should return in '08 along with other changes that will counter the speed increase.

[Dani Filth]

i gave this example before . on other forum
BAR in 2003 finished after the 3 teams with Michelin experience .. Williams, McLaren and Renault . yet in 2004 . their first year with Michelin . beat all three . so .. imho Flavio point is not valid ..

[Knowlesy]

That is a very good point actually!

[Sodemo]

Originally Posted by martyn bott

err...not necessarily.

If there was more physical rubber down on the tarmac (ie wider tyres) then there would be more grip.

Of course, if they chose harder compounds then of course, the mechanical grip would be less.

They should make the compound harder, but make the tyres much much wider imo. So return to the slicks like in the 80's and up until 1992.

[Dutton]

A while back Ross talked about how it would make sense to roll back the tyres a few stages, and change constructions, and what not, in order that it is as new to Bridgestone runners as it is new comers. However, yes, it was a representative of the Evil Empire saying it, so, yes, clearly he meant something totally different. Naturally, he meant providing the Empire with vastly superior tyres to the rest of the grid.

Ideally, I would like an entirely new company to get involved in 2008 (to remove as much moaning, accusing, and conspiracy theorising as possible). However, we are more than likely not going to get that: it seems Bridgestone will be involved. So, on that basis, it should be noted that there would be no incentive for Bridgestone to supply any one team with superior tyres.

The point Flav is making, of course, is just a general point about teams with Bridgestone experience (i.e. all of those using Bridgestone tyres). This is fair enough, but I think things will be organised to minimise the effect of this as far as is reasonably possible.

Flav needs to consider the possibility that the likes of Toyota and Williams switched a year early for a reason. That isn't to be a year in the know for when tyres are produced that will give them an advnatage in 2007, although that possibility I am sure was around, but rather it gives a year for them to get used to the way Bridgestone operate these days and what not.

This, rather than specific tyre constructions/compounds, is what will inevitably hand Bridgestone runners something of an advantage to start with: they will understand how the company currently operates far better than the new comers.

That is totally unavoidable.

[JeremySmith]

I would like to see a totally fresh start with a new tyre supplier.. that would stop any one team having an advantage over any one else. Goodyear or Pirelli come to mind..

[FPV GTHO]

I can see his point, but i dont think it should matter. If Renault had the same chances as Toyota and Williams to switch over earlier, and chose not to then its their decision. If Renault get their way, then Toyota and Williams' decision gets shot to pieces.

[Gt_R]

To be fair, Flavio has rights and reasons to be concerned. Renault may start the next season having to spend more time testing and getting used to the new Bridgestone tyre characteristics, and the fundamentals of the car design may risk being at odds with tyres. As a team manager who's responsibility is to ensure the best for his team, voicing this concern is what he should do.

But to be equally fair, Williams and Toyota made the switch one year earlier in hope to get the jump on other current Michelin runners. In effect, they sort of compromised their 2006 season for 2007, in terms of understanding Bridgestone as a partner, and Bridgestone as a tyre. The other teams were given the same opportunity to make the switch, but chose otherwise. So it would effectively be unfair on Williams and Toyota if Renault's plea is satisfied.

I think it would be an opportunity for F1 to make a switch to lower-profiled slicks. But it would be interesting to see what Williams and Toyota, who has their own self-interest to protect, would say about Flavio's suggestion.

[Greenback]

If there is a complete change to the construction and compound, that means all current BS runners will be forced to do extra tyre testing this winter and it might also affect the design of the cars.

How is that going to help keep F1 cost down Max?

[Sodemo]

Originally Posted by Greenback

it might also affect the design of the cars.

Which can only really be a good thing, as it means then that everyone starts from a clean sheet of paper, a level playing field, which is what everyone wants surely?
It might also mean that aero becomes slightly less important if say for instance they introduce super wide slicks.

Anyway, what if all the teams wanted to switch to Bridgestone in 2006, where would that have left Michelin?

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Greenback

How is that going to help keep F1 cost down Max?

For 2007 it won't,cost cutting begins in 2008.

As for Bridgestone's current runners,wouldn't they be testing tyres this winter anyway,regardless of what compound or construction they were.

The Michelin runners will have no current data to use for current tyres and will obviously need to know sooner or later from Bridgestone (as will Ferrari,Williams etc) what compounds and constructions they are going to use for next season,so that their new cars can be built accordingly.

[Greenback]

Originally Posted by martyn bott

For 2007 it won't,cost cutting begins in 2008.

As for Bridgestone's current runners,wouldn't they be testing tyres this winter anyway,regardless of what compound or construction they were.

The Michelin runners will have no current data to use for current tyres and will obviously need to know sooner or later from Bridgestone (as will Ferrari,Williams etc) what compounds and constructions they are going to use for next season,so that their new cars can be built accordingly.

If tyre issue can be sorted out over winter testing, then there will be no reason for flavio to be so concern. Honestly I would prefer to have less rule change in F1 so that we can really see compare the development between each team.

[Knowlesy]

I would prefer less rule changes, or rather more logical changes.

However, it is fairly clear how each team develops.....