Bridgestone's Advantage in the Rain...Gone!

[JoStream]

I really think it is incredible how Michelin has been able to turn the table and turn what was once a significant disadvantage, into a significant advantage.

And you got many people shouting: "Great now the weather is gonna make Alonso WC!"

But honestly, apart from the fact that I love rain, weather is part of Formula 1 racing and you can't say we had a lot of that over the past few seasons (would be interesting to find out why :rolleyes: ).

I hope it rains tomorrow, because rain simply makes for a better race. :D

[F1 Today]

From what I could see, Michelin have the upper hand in torrential rain, whereas Bridgestone have the upper hand in damp-wet conditions.

As we saw in Hungary, Ferrari were up to 3 seconds off the pace when it was raining the hardest, but as soon as a dry line was really evident, Ferrari went from one of the slowest to fastest.

If you watched ITV’s coverage, it showed you that Michelin took a risk this year with their tyre by adding a deep channel into the tyre to disperse the water quicker. I think they only added it to the “Monsoon tyre”, giving a reason to why Ferrari was faster than them when the standing water had cleared.

[Carlis]

I thought that Michelin were running with their intermediate tyre while Bridgestone had to use their full wet tyre because their interm was... near-to-crap?

[F1 Today]

I thought that Michelin were running with their intermediate tyre while Bridgestone had to use their full wet tyre because their interm was... near-to-crap?

Yeah, that's right, but they're fantastic when the track is almost dry enough to use grooved tyres.

[Chris]

Do the tires make that much of a difference? I know they make a rather significant one, but I'm not too sure if it's enough to determine the outcome of a race...I think a drivers experience in driving in certain conditions, and other parts of the car certainly play a factor.

[JoStream]

Do the tires make that much of a difference? I know they make a rather significant one, but I'm not too sure if it's enough to determine the outcome of a race...I think a drivers experience in driving in certain conditions, and other parts of the car certainly play a factor.

Well tires have always played a crucial role during season with more than one tire supplier. When you only have one, there is only one tire, one construction and one design. Although the car still has to make good use of the tires provided, the possible determining factors of the tire supplier is now present.

Tire supplier wars are not uncommon in Formula 1. In 1998, Goodyear and Bridgestone supplied F1 teams. For the past 6 seasons, Michelin and Bridgestone have been suppliers, and the amount of R&D that goes into that is incredible. :eek:

It's a good thing that there will be only a single tire supplier next season. I think the tire war in Formula 1 is completely unnecessary...:mad:

[F1 Today]

If you look at Schumacher at Imola 2005; he was almost three seconds faster than the rest of the field, and that was mainly due to the Bridgestone's he had on.

Let's face it, without the correct "set of boots", you're not going anywhere fast.

[Carlis]

If you look at Schumacher at Imola 2005; he was almost three seconds faster than the rest of the field, and that was mainly due to the Bridgestone's he had on.

Let's face it, without the correct "set of boots", you're not going anywhere fast.
Agree!

I have read and heard quite a few times now that the champion this last two years was not Alonso but Michelin... I think there is some truth on that :eek:

[Chris]

Well tires have always played a crucial role during season with more than one tire supplier. When you only have one, there is only one tire, one construction and one design. Although the car still has to make good use of the tires provided, the possible determining factors of the tire supplier is now present.

Tire supplier wars are not uncommon in Formula 1. In 1998, Goodyear and Bridgestone supplied F1 teams. For the past 6 seasons, Michelin and Bridgestone have been suppliers, and the amount of R&D that goes into that is incredible. :eek:

It's a good thing that there will be only a single tire supplier next season. I think the tire war in Formula 1 is completely unnecessary...:mad:


I agree with you about the tire thing being unnescessary. It just seems a bit unfair that the person with the best tires has a large advantage over everyone else. Maybe that's part of the pre-race planning and I know it'd be ridiculous for everything in the car to be completely the same, but I think one kind of tires for everyone would definatly be a beneficial move.

[JoStream]

Agree!

I have read and heard quite a few times now that the champion this last two years was not Alonso but Michelin... I think there is some truth on that :eek:

Hehe, cmon Carlis :D I know you're really bugged about Alonso walking to a double world championship, but if you say that you take credit away from Michael in 2002 / 2003 / 2004. Alonso soaked up quite a lot of pressure this year, and if there's one title he deserved to win, it's probably this years'.

[F1 Today]

if there's one title he deserved to win, it's probably this years'.

That's not true. In fact, I would say it was totally the opposite. In the very bitter way that I am, I still believe Renault shouldn't've got away with the tuned mass damper because they knew they were breaking the rules.