Slick tyres on test in Spain

[Wizzo]

Bridgestone will reportedly supply slick tyres for Formula One teams to trial at the upcoming test in Spain.

The FIA announced earlier this year that the planned 2008 reintroduction of slicks, which were banned in favour of the current grooves at the end of 1997, would now be delayed.

But the Dutch magazine Formule 1 Race Report claims that every grand prix outfit will be given several sets of slicks to try at Jerez early next month, ahead of the likely reintroduction of the tyres in 2009.

The publication quotes a BMW-Sauber spokesman, and also the concurrence of the Red Bull teams and Honda, as confirming the news.

The Jerez-spec slicks will reportedly be based on the slick tyre currently produced by Bridgestone for the GP2 series.

It is also reported that tyre-warming blankets will not be allowed in 2008.

[Ian]

Slicks eh, super news, but no tyre warmers, could be interesting into the first corners could'nt it.

[Alianora La Canta]

I like how Bridgestone are not favouring Ferrari with this development. That's good news. I'd love for slicks to return, though I imagine the loss of tyre-warmers will cause some serious complications for first corners...

[Steven Roy]

I missed the previous announcement that slicks were coming back.  Must have been while I was working away from home and didn't have a regular internet connection.  Fantastic news though. 

As far as I am concerned tyre warmers are driver aids and should be banned.  Though the antics on the warm up lap are going to be worth watching now.  Think of all the swerving, wheel spinning and sudden braking that went on just to maintain temperature.  Now they have to put several times that amount of energy into them to get them up to temp.  Of course the FIA could just do away with the warm up lap.

Either way the first couple of corners of the first few races are going to involve a level of carnage not seen in recent years.

[John S]

No traction control, no tyre warmers and slicks the following year, oh what fun for us spectators!

[Steven Roy]

Nice to see another new poster.  Welcome John S.

[johnbull]

Did I hear someone mention trying to make the racing safer?

[Ian]

Hiya JS, welcome aboard the nuthouse. 

[Steven Roy]

Did I hear someone mention trying to make the racing safer?

Max is trying to tick so many boxes politically he is tying himself in knots.  He wants to be green so tyre warmers have to go but that will upset the safety people.  Generally I take the safety side in any debate but tyre warmers should be banned.

[Dare]

slicks for 09,too bad tc is only a 1 year ban

[Chameleon]

I don't understand what the fuss is about.  F1 used slicks without tyre warmers for decades without tyre warmers - was it carnage at every corner and massive safety problems?  No, the drivers knew that the first couple of laps they should take it easy.  It's their job to adjust to the characteristics of the car in any conditions and, generally speaking, they do it pretty well.

[cosworth151]

Howdy, JS! Always room for one more!

I, too, will be glad to see slicks come back and TC leave. As far as tire warmers, I can go either way. It should make for some interesting out-laps, though.

[Dare]

I don't understand what the fuss is about.  F1 used slicks without tyre warmers for decades without tyre warmers - was it carnage at every corner and massive safety problems?  No, the drivers knew that the first couple of laps they should take it easy.  It's their job to adjust to the characteristics of the car in any conditions and, generally speaking, they do it pretty well.

Last time they had slicks they also had experienced veteran drivers,not
drivers that couldn't buy a drink legally

[Steven Roy]

The difference is that before drivers had experience of warming tyres and didn't know anything different.  Now you have a generation of drivers whose foot hits the floor as soon as the pass the pit speed limit line.  It is like anything else where an aid exists people lean on it.  Take it away and they will fall.

[Chameleon]

I'm not so sure (and not so hard on the young 'uns too!).  These kids have grown up with wheels attached, racing go-karts almost before they could walk, playing simulation racing games for hours on end, and then rising through the overpopulated ranks of the feeder series.  They are born to it and, I suspect, the majority of them are much better than most drivers on the grid from thirty or forty years ago.  Youth is nothing if not adaptable and the boy racers will adapt so quickly, you'll be hard-pressed to notice any changes from last year.

.oO(There, that ought to set the cat amongst the pigeons...)