Bridgestone consider more tyre variation in 2009

[TheStig]

Bridgestone, the sole supplier of tyres in Formula One, is considering widening the variations of compounds offered to teams during a Grand Prix weekend next season, according to 'autosport'. This action would be done in a further effort to improve the spectacle throughout the weekend.

The current situation has Bridgestone providing two different compounds, but each one only one step apart from the other, such as soft and super soft, or medium and hard. But this new idea of more variation would allow a combination of the soft and hard compounds, a two step difference.

"We are thinking about selecting two positions difference (in the compound selection)," said Hirohide Hamashima about Bridgestone's compound plans for next season. "Of course compound position between slick and groove will be different, because the slicks will be softer than grooved tyres.

"But we will bring two types of compound for each event again. And because currently everyone complains that the difference between the two is too small, we are thinking about what shall we do."

But a problem lies in which one compound may suit a certain circuit, but the other compound available might not. Which might lead to performance troubles, in addition to forcing all teams to follow an identical tyre strategy. The latter ruining any variation in tyre strategy between teams as their is now.

"We want to take it a little bit wider than currently," he said. "If the difference is too big then maybe the teams complain on Friday, if it's too small they complain on Sunday!"

Hirohide Hamashima is the director of motorsport tyre development at Bridgestone, and believes that this is only one of the few possible tyre options to improve the racing in Formula One for the upcoming season.

http://www.f1technical.net/news/9808

Stig

[Scott]

To me this is the problem with a one tire manufacturer formula.  When there were two, they worked like crazy to come up with the best compounds for the teams they represented.  Now they hum and haw about what they might do next since they don't have the same pressure as in a competitive environment.  The FIA is obviously pre-occupied with other 'matters' so they aren't forcing Bridgestone to provide proper compounds for the teams.  Sure, it's cut down on testing, but then Bridgestone and Michelin used to pay for that extra testing.

[Alianora La Canta]

According to an interview with Paul Stoddart in F1 Racing February 2005 edition, only Ferrari got paid for testing tyres. Tyre testing used to be a serious expense. Though that doesn't excuse Bridgestone's reluctance to provide competitive tyres. That said, the FIA probably don't allow Bridgestone to make tyre changes as such without their say-so.

[SennaMan]

To me this is the problem with a one tire manufacturer formula.  When there were two, they worked like crazy to come up with the best compounds for the teams they represented.  Now they hum and haw about what they might do next since they don't have the same pressure as in a competitive environment.  The FIA is obviously pre-occupied with other 'matters' so they aren't forcing Bridgestone to provide proper compounds for the teams.  Sure, it's cut down on testing, but then Bridgestone and Michelin used to pay for that extra testing.

exactly SD - the two tyre makers really pushed each other and the competition spilled over into the two 'camps' of F1 teams.

I think a compelling point of interest in the F1 series has been lost with only having one tyre supplier and a competitive edge is now missing too.

Why stop at just two?

I would like to see as many tyre makers as possible supplying the teams.

Would bring another fascinating factor into the mix.

[Steven Roy]

The idea that you have to run two different compounds is ludicrous.  What is the point of spending a fortune optimising a car and then being forced to run one stint on useless rubber.  Bridgestone should stick to the contract they signed instead of doing the deal and then deciding they wouldn't get enough publicity so they wanted a stupid rule added.  Let them take a range of compounds to each race and let everyone run what they want.