Renault join Ferrari’s call for softer tyres
Renault and Ferrari want softer Bridgestone tyres
At the beginning of the month Ferrari claimed Bridgestone’s choice of harder tyres was disadvantaging them.
Now Bridgestone has revealed its tyre choices for the final four races of the season and again it is bringing a harder set of tyres to one round – Interlagos, for the Brazilian Grand Prix.
And now Renault as well as Ferrari are questioning Bridgestone’s choice of tyres.
Pat Symonds said:
The selection for Hockenheim was definitely too hard. Also for Spa and Monza a step further on the soft side would be sufficient.
Spa-Francorchamps and Monza are the other two circuits (besides Interlagos) where Bridgestone is bringing harder tyres than it did last year.
McLaren are expected to stand to gain the most from the harder tyres – particularly at Interlagos, where it had problems with the super-soft tyres last year.
So why are Bridgestone bringing harder tyres? Perhaps the seven teams besides McLaren, Ferrari and Renault all want harder compounds. Bridgestone’s Hirohide Hamashima seemed to allude to this:
[Brazil] can be very hot, as we saw last year, and our data from the thrilling final race of last season showed us that this change would be beneficial for the teams.
But perhaps part of Bridgestone’s thinkin is a desire to play it safe. Rival tyre constructor Goodyear had a major embarrassment at the Indianapolis NASCAR race this year when the race was ruined by tyre failures. Tyres that are a bit too soft are more of a problem than tyres are a bit too hard.
Why do you think Bridgestone is bringing harder tyres – and what effect do you think it will have on the championship?
DG said on 20th August 2008, 9:31
Keith – so Bridgestone would have to work a bit harder for their money. I think they have become very complascent this year, and are sitting back enjoying the free ride from the FIA.
None of the ‘revised’ compounds they have introduced so far have made any difference to how the cars have performed.
If they were making tyres to suit individual circuits, they would at least justify their right to decide what tyres the teams used
Jean said on 20th August 2008, 11:22
Ferrari should consider a one-stop strategy for this race . New Track , street circuit , there will probably be a safety car or two , which will then further advantage them. Otherwise , hard tyres , it will be McLarens race.
Kester said on 20th August 2008, 13:55
This race the tyres are as soft as they get. That with the heat predicted should play into Ferrari’s hands.
bernification said on 20th August 2008, 15:22
Surely if 8 teams are not complaining then Bridgestone have called it about right?
The safety of drivers and their reputation are the main things that matter, even though they have maybe put Ferrari’s (collective) nose out of joint, which is a brave move as Paige pointed out.
Keith, thats an interesting point, Ferrari aren’t always right.
The fact is, these are this years rules. That is the point of a limited formula- there are rules that everyone has to adhear to.
Kester, I don’t think if RB went to Renault and said we want a more powerful engine than yours Renault would oblige, same STR and Ferrari, they get pretty much what they’re given , so your point is completely wrong.
But maybe Flav will do that if they’re competing at the end of year;)
aja said on 20th August 2008, 19:07
Monopolies are never advantageous to anyone but the monopoly ie: the FIA and Bridgestone, they all have One ‘ForMula’.
Let the teams test five sets of compounds for all the GP’s and let them choose two compounds per race.
Well, plus a wet and inter.
Alvin said on 21st August 2008, 5:55
The teams should decide what tyre they want to use for every race, that would make it more interesting. F1 now is not really all out racing, there’s too many rules that spoils it. I admit rules are necessary but stupid rules are not.
DG said on 21st August 2008, 8:38
bernification – I have always had the impression that teams using Customer engines can only ever have the same specification as the Works team. If RBR asked Renault for a more powerful engine, they would only get it after the main team. And Ferrari have never allowed any other team to have a more powerful engine than them – its not good for the reputation!