Four F1 Tyre Types in 2007 – Bridgestone
As Bridgestone prepares for its role as Formula One’s solitary supplier, the tyremaker has disclosed that in 2007 it will supply teams with only four different specifications of dry weather tyres – Hard, Medium, Soft, and Super Soft.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Launches Eagle F1 Asymmetric
Goodyear has launched a new tyre designed to replace the much vaunted Eagle F1 GSD3, which scored top marks in almost every test going - including Auto Express, Autocar, Max Power, Evo and Which? But while the old tyre’s symmetrical tread design was key to the product’s success, Goodyear is expecting the new product to succeed exactly because it isn’t. In addition to an asymmetrical tread design, the Eagle F1 Assymmetric features an asymmetric casing construction designed to reinforce one side and squeeze more grip from the tyre. Goodyear representatives told Tyres & Accessories they were gearing up for more award success following the introduction of the ‘Active Cornergrip Technology’ into the design of its latest tyre.
Continue ReadingF1 Drivers Lukewarm About New Tyres
Kimi Raikkonen has added his voice to that of Robert Kubica in complaining that Bridgestone’s 2007-spec Formula One tyres do not suit his driving style. BMW driver Kubica was the first driver to air his concerns about the harder Bridgestone compounds following tests last December. When Autosport asked Raikkonen at Jerez whether he thought that the tyres suited his driving style the Finn replied, No, not really. He added I think we need to work on the car to make it work for me. It is getting better all the time but it takes time to get used to (the tyres).”
Continue ReadingAnother New F1 Tyre Rule Proposed
The FIA is reportedly planning to impose an alternative to the controversial ‘red tyre rule’ during the 2007 Formula One season. Autosport magazine has reported that, in addition to the new regulation requiring drivers to race both the ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ compound tyres Bridgestone supplies for each Grand Prix event, teams could also be asked to publish their initial tyre choice.
Continue ReadingUpdate – F1 Red Tyre Rule
Further to our recent news regarding the Formula One ‘red tyre rule’, it appears that official agreement on the regulations has not as yet been reached. While Bridgestone is happy that the issue has been raised, Bridgestone Motorsport has not at this time held any official discussions with the FIA and the competing teams regarding the proposal. Tyres and Accessories apologises for any confusion our previous news article may have created.
Continue ReadingF1 ‘Red Tyres’ Unlikely
Despite Bridgestone’s support of the idea, it appears that red tyres are unlikely to be a part of the 2007 Formula One season. It now seems all but inevitable that the different rubber compounds required by Article 77c of the FIA Sporting Regulations will hit the racetrack without any accompanying visual identifier.
Continue ReadingF1 Fans Will See Red This Year
The FIA and all eleven competing Formula One teams have agreed upon the introduction of the so-called ‘red tyre rule’ for the 2007 season. This rule, strongly advocated by Bridgestone, will see the teams using both hard and soft compound tyres.
Continue ReadingF1 No Closer in 2007 – Trulli
Formula One driver Jarno Trulli believes that racing will not become any closer in 2007 despite all the teams using the same tyres.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Positive about F1 Tyre Progress
Following the conclusion of the initial three Formula One winters tests at the Jerez de la Frontera test circuit Bridgestone has shown signs of satisfaction with the way the ten teams (the Spyker team did not test) have adapted to the 2007 tyres. Bridgestone Motorsport’s technical manager Hisao Suganuma commented that “Our initial impressions of the first three winter tests are very positive and I would like to thank the teams for their co-operation and hard work in their efforts to learn about the new Bridgestone Potenza tyres.”
Continue ReadingMichelin Reflects on F1 2006
Michelin celebrated their 2006 Formula One success in their hometown of Clermont-Ferrand on December 12. As a grand finale to the season Renault’s Heikki Kovaleinen conducted a demonstration run, the last organised appearance of a Formula One car fitted with Michelin tyres.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Finalises F1 Contracts
Bridgestone Motorsport has finalised contracts for the provision of Bridgestone Potenza Formula One tyres with the Renault F1 Team, Team McLaren Mercedes, Honda Racing F1 Team, BMW Sauber F1 Team, Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso. The six new teams are expected to run on Bridgestone F1 tyres for the first time at the Barcelona winter test in Spain, provisionally scheduled for 28-30 November, 2006. After six years of competitive tyre supply, the FIA Formula One World Championship is about to enter a new era with Bridgestone as the sole supplier of F1 tyres from 2007 to 2010. The new teams will be joining Bridgestone’s current stable of five teams: Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, Panasonic Toyota Racing, WilliamsF1 Team, Spyker MF1 Team and Super Aguri F1 Team.
Continue ReadingHeidfeld: F1 Control Tyre Means Less Overtaking
BMW Sauber driver Nick Heidfeld has told motorsport reporters that overtaking will be more difficult when F1 runs solely on Bridgestone tyres next season. Overtaking always used to be difficult in Formula One and I think its going to remain difficult, he said, adding: When youve got different tyres, its more probable that the cars will take different turns at different speeds. In consideration of this fact, I expect the overtaking to become slightly more difficult.” The new F1 season is set to get underway in Australia in March, with the competitive difference of the tyres being eradicated by the fact that all 22 drivers will be running on the same rubber.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Restructures F1 Group
Hisao Suganuma, the technical manager of Bridgestone’s Formula One tyre group will return to work at the Japanese’ manufacturers motorsport group in Japan in 2007 as part of the company’s staff rotation programme. Suganuma was appointed as F1 technical manager in 2001 and was a key figure in Ferrari’s four F1 world championship victories from 2001-2004. In 2007 Bridgestone will be the sole tyre supplier in Formula One and has appointed Kees van der Grint and Jun Matsuzaki as joint technical managers in view of the increased workload.
Continue ReadingAlonso Takes F1 Title As Schumacher Bows Out
The Formula 1 season came to an exciting end at the Brazilian Grand Prix with Fernando Alonso of Renault (Michelin) retaining his world title after finishing second. Ferraris (Bridgestone) Felipe Massa led from pole to flag to record a win in his home country – his second career win – and Hondas (Michelin) Jenson Button finished third.
Continue ReadingF1 Experience For T&A Competition Winner, Courtesy Of Firestone
A car enthusiast enjoyed a unique taste of life in the fast lane, after taking an exclusive tour of the Williams F1 factory as a guest of Bridgestone. Robert Newton was given open access to the F1 team’s state-of-the-art Grove head office as the winner of a Tyres & Accessories competition to promote the Firestone brand. The trip enabled him to indulge his passion for fast cars and pick up some useful tips for one of his hobbies-cum-business ventures – building rally cars.
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