Bridgestone pulling out of F1 after 2010

[TomWazzleshaw]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/79968
Ok... this can and probably will turn into a major issue pretty quickly

[thehemogoblin]

And we run on... Nike track spikes in 2011.

[thehemogoblin]

Though in reality, what tire companies would come to F1?

Michelin and Bridgestone are obviously thoroughly disenfranchised with it... Pirelli, Dunlop and Goodyear, here we come.

[Nin13]

Though in reality, what tire companies would come to F1?

Michelin and Bridgestone are obviously thoroughly disenfranchised with it... Pirelli, Dunlop and Goodyear, here we come.

Hope we have 2 or even 3 tire manufacturer, so that racing becomes exciting, different tires being better in different conditions..... races like Indianapolis 2003, China 2006 come to mind for Bridgestone v/s Michelin fights!!

[CarlosFerreira]

I'd like to see 2 manufacturers come into F1, but I suppose the rules preclude it. Either way, I think it wouldn't quite work without testing.

No self-respecting tyre manufacturer would go to F1. It's a big expense, but because there's no competition, people will only hear about you if something goes horribly wrong. Bridgestone recently racked up some important milestone - 200 race victories or something like that - and most people never heard of it.

[rffp]

We can expect a 2011 full of changes after that. Goodyear would be the ideal comeback, but we have to see if they do make their return.

[Tealy]

No self-respecting tyre manufacturer would go to F1. It's a big expense, but because there's no competition, people will only hear about you if something goes horribly wrong. Bridgestone recently racked up some important milestone - 200 race victories or something like that - and most people never heard of it.

That was the first thing I thought reading the article. If there was a tyre war then people would start talking about the better tyre and give them tonnes of positive publicity. Plus it gives us more exiting racing.

[Yannick]

Here is hoping that there won't be a tyre war again because that generally means only two teams can win, which is boring.

So I'd like to speak out for one single tyre manufacturer to supply all teams. That requires a big effort from the tyre manufacturer in question, so they'd better be well-prepared.
Luckily for the rookie tyre magnate, an appearance at Indianapolis is unlikely for 2011.

[Stewart]

Hope we have 2 or even 3 tire manufacturer, so that racing becomes exciting, different tires being better in different conditions..... races like Indianapolis 2003, China 2006 come to mind for Bridgestone v/s Michelin fights!!

No thanks. We won't see exciting racing, we'll see teams using tyre manufacturer 'A' dominating one weekend and those using manufacturer 'B' dominating the next weekend. I thoroughly despised the 'tyre war', and I really don't want to see another.

[Phoenix]

Being one, two or 2387 tyre manufacturers won't make any difference; the races would be equally as boring.

[fjackdaw]

Hope we have 2 or even 3 tire manufacturer, so that racing becomes exciting, different tires being better in different conditions..... races like Indianapolis 2003, China 2006 come to mind for Bridgestone v/s Michelin fights!!

No thanks. We won't see exciting racing, we'll see teams using tyre manufacturer 'A' dominating one weekend and those using manufacturer 'B' dominating the next weekend. I thoroughly despised the 'tyre war', and I really don't want to see another.

I'll second that. The commentary always seemed to end up talking about tyre manufacturers too, which isn't my idea of riveting. And it surely alienates casual viewers when the result doesn't come down to man or machine or a combination of the two, but what brand of rubber their tyres are made of. Yawn.

[Tealy]

Hope we have 2 or even 3 tire manufacturer, so that racing becomes exciting, different tires being better in different conditions..... races like Indianapolis 2003, China 2006 come to mind for Bridgestone v/s Michelin fights!!

No thanks. We won't see exciting racing, we'll see teams using tyre manufacturer 'A' dominating one weekend and those using manufacturer 'B' dominating the next weekend. I thoroughly despised the 'tyre war', and I really don't want to see another.

I'll second that. The commentary always seemed to end up talking about tyre manufacturers too, which isn't my idea of riveting. And it surely alienates casual viewers when the result doesn't come down to man or machine or a combination of the two, but what brand of rubber their tyres are made of. Yawn.

I guess I'm in the minority then, I've got to say I like the tyre war aspect. Although it's not something I miss much now it's gone.

[CarlosFerreira]

I guess I'm in the minority then, I've got to say I like the tyre war aspect. Although it's not something I miss much now it's gone.

I agree with Tealy, in principle. I like the uncertainty of a tyre war.

[noisebox]

Being one, two or 2387 tyre manufacturers won't make any difference; the races would be equally as boring.

Why are you interested in F1, then?

[fjackdaw]

Being one, two or 2387 tyre manufacturers won't make any difference; the races would be equally as boring.

Why are you interested in F1, then?

I was thinking the same thing. That's surely the moment to stop watching and do something else instead.

[Phoenix]

Being one, two or 2387 tyre manufacturers won't make any difference; the races would be equally as boring.

Why are you interested in F1, then?

I'm interested in cars and motorsports in general, but sadly it's a fact that some F1 races are boring; so, I wanted to say that multiple tyre manufacturers won't solve this issue.

[Cynon]

Here's to hoping Cooper tires takes over as the F1 tire, if only because that's my name.

No self-respecting tyre manufacturer would go to F1. It's a big expense, but because there's no competition, people will only hear about you if something goes horribly wrong. Bridgestone recently racked up some important milestone - 200 race victories or something like that - and most people never heard of it.

Now seriously, if Goodyear comes into F1, they're going to have tons of problems. Any of the NASCAR fans in here will know how much of a disaster Goodyear can be sometimes...

...also, Goodyear is the only tire brand in NASCAR and has been for 14-15 years or so and they still get publicity when they don't suck. For starters they run a lot of Goodyear commercials, the commentators call new tires; "Four Fresh Goodyears". Also, the drivers tend to mention when Goodyear brings a good tire for each track.

On a sidenote, I should mention that the more equal things get, the closer the racing is, yet the slightest mistake is magnified because making a charge to the front is harder.

[shinji]

So...

[DonTirri]

Actually, Tire war can be a good thing.

For one, the late eighties/early nineties Pirelli vs Goodyear was great, Pirelli had the upper hand in qualifying (highlighted by Martini putting the minardi on a front row) while Goodyear was generally better in races.

Also, Bridgestone vs Goodyear was good times in late nineties.

Personally I think F1 should have four or five tire manufuncturers... Its the same as with engines. More variety, the better

[WeirdKerr]

I for 1 did NOT see this coming... though i am not surprised.......

[mario]

Actually, Tire war can be a good thing.

For one, the late eighties/early nineties Pirelli vs Goodyear was great, Pirelli had the upper hand in qualifying (highlighted by Martini putting the minardi on a front row) while Goodyear was generally better in races.

Also, Bridgestone vs Goodyear was good times in late nineties.

Personally I think F1 should have four or five tire manufuncturers... Its the same as with engines. More variety, the better

True, but equally tire wars can sometimes be pretty uneven - the 2005 season comes to mind, for example. And in reality, with the Pirelli-Goodyear battle, you might qualify well, but if you were on Pirelli's you'd be going backwards pretty fast on race day, which is when you'd be winning the points.
I don't want to come across as being dismissive of a tyre war, as I think that it could potentially make the races more interesting - the only problem is that all too quickly one manufacturer could come out on top, so you'd pretty soon effectively end up with a spec tyre series again.

On another note, does anyone know who could potentially run as a supplier? Once Bridgestone is taken out, and assuming that Michelin stick to their current position and don't enter the running, it's an interesting conundrum. I guess that Goodyear might be a problem with potential commercial conflicts with NASCAR objecting about the use of Goodyear tyres in another series (particularly if there are F1 races in the US in the future). Plus, it isn't that long (or cheap) to get a full testing regime up and running - and there is always the fact that the FIA could change the regulations again before 2011.
I would hazerd a guess that Pirelli might be a worthwhile bet - but frankly, the winner will probably be whoever plays the politics game with the FIA better then the rest, rather then the most capable manufacturer.

[Tealy]

Firestone were an F1 tyre supplier waaaaaaaaaay back when. Maybe they might take it on.

[bduddy]

Firestone were an F1 tyre supplier waaaaaaaaaay back when. Maybe they might take it on.

Bridgestone owns Firestone, so...

[Danny Ongais]

Perfect.... one step closer to seeing USF1 on Hoosiers.

[watka]

I want a wheel war!!! Fondmetal vs Rial!!!

[fjackdaw]

I think the teams should make their own tyres. That would be fun. They have to get chemists in to invent the compounds from scratch.

[Tealy]

Firestone were an F1 tyre supplier waaaaaaaaaay back when. Maybe they might take it on.

Bridgestone owns Firestone, so...

Damn, nevermind.

[fondmetal-fond]

I want a wheel war!!! Fondmetal vs Rial!!!

I, for one, would support Rial in this war

[Chewie]

Why not re-use this years, or should that be next years tyres in 2011?? recycling at its best!

There's a guy down the road who would repair them for a few quid, and it'll be first come, first served as to who gets the best 2nd hand tyres.

Or just let the new teams have the first pick!

This idea has got legs.............

[Phoenix]

I want a wheel war!!! Fondmetal vs Rial!!!

What about ATS?

[dr-baker]

I want a wheel war!!! Fondmetal vs Rial!!!

What about ATS?

I'll be supporting Team Dynamics, entering their BTCC Hondas...

[Python]

Here's to hoping Cooper tires takes over as the F1 tire, if only because that's my name.

No self-respecting tyre manufacturer would go to F1. It's a big expense, but because there's no competition, people will only hear about you if something goes horribly wrong. Bridgestone recently racked up some important milestone - 200 race victories or something like that - and most people never heard of it.

Now seriously, if Goodyear comes into F1, they're going to have tons of problems. Any of the NASCAR fans in here will know how much of a disaster Goodyear can be sometimes...

...also, Goodyear is the only tire brand in NASCAR and has been for 14-15 years or so and they still get publicity when they don't suck. For starters they run a lot of Goodyear commercials, the commentators call new tires; "Four Fresh Goodyears". Also, the drivers tend to mention when Goodyear brings a good tire for each track.

On a sidenote, I should mention that the more equal things get, the closer the racing is, yet the slightest mistake is magnified because making a charge to the front is harder.

I don't care for Goodyears. My dad had a set of Goodyears on a car that he had years ago and said they were so soft that he went through them in no time. It would be interesting to see a group like Toyo or Falken make tires for Formula 1. If you wanna know how bad Goodyear tires can be at times, just ask any NASCAR about the Brickyard 400 2008 race. Or better yet you can look it and read about it.

[DemocalypseNow]

How about Yokohama tyres? I dunno why but I like that brand of tyre...

[Phoenix]

Why get well-known brands when, with all that cost-cutting hysteria, they can have Carrefour tires?

[DemocalypseNow]

Why get well-known brands when, with all that cost-cutting hysteria, they can have Carrefour tires?

Bring back the tyre war!
Carrefour - Best all round tyre
Lidl- Cheap, but fast in Quali. Disintegrates into nothing over a race stint tho.
Waitrose - Expensive, crap in Quali, but can do a whole race distance and still retain most of its grip.
Walmart - Crap. Just plain crap.

[Phoenix]

Next thing will be switching to mandatory Chery or Geely engines, ECU, suspensions..., of course...

[shinji]

Found a list of tyres - found some that sound rejectful just from their name.

Chengshan, An-Tyre, Gislaved, GoldenTyre, Stunner, Tigar. Any of these would be acceptable.

[Phoenix]

Gislaved would work if Qadbak project gets materialised...