Ferrari complains about tyre rules

[Hitman]

Ferrari's ultimate boss Luca di Montezemolo is complaining that Formula 1 is being dictated too much by tyres.

"With these new regulations it's more of a World Championship for tyres than for cars," he said. "I'm worried because I see, after five races, that we have a very competitive car, but we have a big problem with the tyres.

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Bridgestone have worked very well in previous years, but with these new regulations, tyres have an excessive and certainly decisive role. I hope the situation improves because we have trouble in being fast both over a hot lap and over the race distance."

 

Memories are short in Formula 1. Ferrari was offered the opportunity to sign up to a single tyre formula last October as part of the "Cost Saving Initiative" at the Brazilian Grand Prix, which proposed a control tyre for F1.

It was agreed by nine of the 10 teams. One of the reasons that Ferrari refused to sign up was that in recent years the relationship that exists between Ferrari and Bridgestone been an important advantage. Now that Bridgestone is not producing the goods needed (at least not at every event) the team is questioning the rules.

 

Bridgestone's Hirohide Hamashima says that the lack of performance is because the tyre manufacturer does not do enough testing.

 

"Our rivals can count on several top teams," he said. "So they can improve much faster. This is particularly decisive this year, with these new regulations."

 

There is an element of truth in this but Bridgestone must look at its tyre supply policy for a reason why this has happened. The company started out with several big teams but gradually each moved to Michelin because they were unhappy with the special relationship between Ferrari and Bridgestone. The upside of that policy was the enormous success of the partnership in recent years.

 

The downside is the pain that is now being felt at Maranello.

 

The good news for F1 is that in such a circumstance Ferrari might consider a switch to a control tyre (it could be justified as being made in the best interests of the sport) and that would be a major step in reducing the split that currently exists between Ferrari and the other major teams. This would also address the testing issue as without tyre rivalry the need to test would be reduced considerably - and that would bring down costs, which would help Ferrari as well.

 

This can only be a good thing because the current situation is not in the best interest of the sport. It would also help the safety situation as a control tyre would provide a much more effective means of slowing the cars.

[DarkLord]

Yah! Blame it on the tires!

[Toalson]

I guess they got no where to find fault or to blame their disappointing results.

[Apollo]

eh.. they can pay me $1million and blame me, i'll just chuck it off as honest mistake.

 

[Toalson]

[Hitman]

Personally ... I think its their fault, and Bridgestones too. They got exclusive agreement bet the 2 of them. The other teams sianz ... all go to Michelin. Now Bridgestone only got Ferrari, Minardi and one other team on Bridgestones.

 

Michelins got most of the top teams ... so they can derive useful data for their tyres , whilst Bridgestone is lacking testing info.

 

Last time ... Bridgestone use the data from other teams to make super duper tyres for Ferrari only, thats why the other teams sianz ... now they deserve what they get.

[Hitman]

Gahmen style ah

[Beanoyip]

Serve those red ants right! Pay back time baby!

[Apollo]

dun laff hor, not many pple inside ferrari willing to take up this responsibility one.

 

i merely them a favor hor.

[Hitman]

But they still cheating lah .... talk about BAR cheating

 

The rest of the other teams have restricted testing ... Ferrari unlimited testing, dun wanna sign the gentleman's agreement with the other teams

 

Like that win World Championship also tak standard manz

[Raycsk]

Luca di Montezemolo

 

It is a fact that Motorsports of any sort, tyres play a very crucial role. Maybe Ferrari should start building Pod Racers (ones used by young Anakin).

 

Well if they truly have a competitive car and they have an exclusive deal with BS, shouldn't they there close collaboration as the car is built?

[Linus]

sore losers. no wonder MS tyres punciate at barcelona. not once but twice. bad one for bridgestone.

[Hitman]

Trouble is ... I think ....

 

This year different rules ... one tyre per race weekend, and BS havent got the data mileage they need to build a durable competitive tyre. How can blame them ... only got 3 teams using BS this year. And the other 2 teams are tailenders, Minardis included

 

Last time ... BS use the data received from their other teams (McLaren included) and gave the data to Ferrari, which pissed off a lot of the teams .... now they reap their rewards of that move.

 

Last yr , Ferrari could have signed a 1 tyre manufacturer rule, they refused .... now Ferrari is reaping the rewards of the arrogance

 

They are also the only team that refused to limit their testing (all other 9 teams have limited testing)

 

Damn bloody cheaters

[Hitman]

Well ... the past 4 yrs have been good for them Bridgestones

 

Now they reap the rewards of their action in the previous yrs such as giving data fr McLaren and Williams to Ferrari

 

Thats why many teams ... including Sauber switched to Michelins

[Johnchong]

Haha, ok, next time I also switch to Michelin.

Now using Bridgestone...

[Linus]

heehee... u driving F1 meh ?

[Linus]

tyre make championship... gotto invest so much $$$ on the tyre tech. perhaps all these changes in F1 tyre rules can provide the transfer of tech of good grip and mileage to our everyday tyre usage.

[Johnchong]

On my comp, yes...

 

Hehe, manufacturers take part in F1 and other sports in an effort to increase brand awareness and sales ya... Well, this is an example of how their performance in the sport can directly affect sales.