F1 tyre row

[John]

Isn't there a really easy way of stopping this row over tyre treads?......

Return to slicks?!

Oh silly me that would mean getting rid of those really useful grooved tyres wouldn't it!?

[Alan]

I thought the discussion was about the overall widht of the tread after the race - nothing to do with the grooves!

Mind you - I think the most interesting part of this is the timing.

Also - is this another case of the FIA scrutineers not doing their job properly (or not having the right equipment).

[The Stig]

Is the timing of this furore not curious ?
Granted, it does beg the question have the scrutineers been taking shortcuts, post race. But, with Williams recently dominant and Ferrari waning, you could be forgiven for thinking that those Maranello types are suffering a severe bout of sour grapes.

Wouldn't a great many components, (tyres included), degrade over the course of a race distance ??

[Stuart]

Have to agree with John about the return to slicks. Other than the FIA, does anybody really want these tyres?
Call me cynical, but I wonder if this debate is being fuelled in the run up to a "Lets simplify this and go back to slicks" announcement. I can dream hey!

[The Stig]

Eventually doesn't teams technology outweigh the regulators ?
Resourceful teams frequently make those in authority rethink their regulations.

[Peter]

Alan is right. A return to slick tyres would make no difference to the current debate, which is all about the width of tyre tread, not the boldness of grooves.

In my opinion, this whole fiasco is a disgraceful example of the timid FIA changing a regulation mid-season because Ferrari are unable to beat their rivals on track. If Ferrari win the title, which is likely considering their sudden upturn in form (I wonder why that might be:rolleyes: ), it will be down to the vulnerability of the ex-Brabbham boys.

One really hopes that a McLaren or a Williams wins this title.

[Peter]

Originally posted by Alan
I thought the discussion was about the overall widht of the tread after the race - nothing to do with the grooves!

Mind you - I think the most interesting part of this is the timing.

Also - is this another case of the FIA scrutineers not doing their job properly (or not having the right equipment).

No- the scrutineers measured tyres before the race and they were always proved to be perfectly legal. There was never a conspiracy that a legal tyre could become illegal during a race, so there was no need to measure again after a race.

What was sloppy was the stewards' inability to prove early-season Bridgestone's dual compounds illegal.

[VkmSpouge]

There is a good way to stop all this constant bickering between Bridgestone and Michelin, simply cut one of them out of Formula One and just have one make of tyre for the entire field. While the competition between B and M is intriguing I'd rather be without stuff like this tyre row:(. Oh and BTW, if this does happen could we please have slicks back?:)

[John]

Originally posted by VkmSpouge
There is a good way to stop all this constant bickering between Bridgestone and Michelin, simply cut one of them out of Formula One and just have one make of tyre for the entire field. While the competition between B and M is intriguing I'd rather be without stuff like this tyre row:(. Oh and BTW, if this does happen could we please have slicks back?:)

I think having two (or three?) tyre companies is a good thing - look at the difference in lap times between years when there is a control tyre and those that have a tyre war - tyres are part of the competition - you wouldn't want to see everyone running the same engines or chassis would you? Thats what makes F1 different to F3000 - well that and a few extra cars on the grid!

[VkmSpouge]

I usually enjoy the competition:) between two tyre companies but with Michelin and Bridgestone there has always been this constant rumble of discontent, that's slowly worn away my enthusiasm. Whether it's the width of the tyre, illegal compounds or whether the wear on the tyres has made them from grooves into slicks.

Still though you are right in saying that it's part of the difference between F1 and any other single seater championship whether it be F3000, CART or IRL.