GPWizard F1 Forum
F1 News & Discussions => General F1 Discussion => Topic started by: Wizzo on September 20, 2006, 01:08:22 PM
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Set to have a monopoly of the Formula 1 tire supply next year, Bridgestone is considering the possibility of following its own footsteps and introduce an "option", red-sidewalled tire in F1, as it's already done in Champ Car.
(http://www.gpwizard.co.uk/images/tyres.jpg)
Currently, both Bridgestone and Michelin do bring two different tire compounds for each F1 race; however, teams are obliged to pick one of the two ahead of qualifying, after the final Saturday practice session.
By mandating that the teams use both types during the race, the Japanese company hopes to keep a focus on tires from '07 onwards, even as its "war" with Michelin comes to an end this season. As it happens in the Champ Car World Series since the "reds" were introduced back in 2004, forcing the use of one set of "alternates" adds an extra strategic element to both qualifying and the race, and making the right choice can become the difference between success and failure on race day.
Discussions are currently taking place with the FIA and the sport's 11 teams to allow the change to come in effect next year.