Goodyear to Make F1 Comeback?
Goodyear is reportedly considering returning to the Formula One motorsport series. F1total.com reports that the American manufacturer is considering getting involved in the sport as a way of responding to the improved market performance that Michelin and Bridgestone have achieved through their involvement. The F1 website speculates that Goodyear could apply for the FIA contract as soon as the series reverts to using a single tyre supplier. Goodyear could also be competing with Kumho for a future F1 contract, the website states.
Continue ReadingNew F1 Tyre Rules Confirmed
The FIA World Motorsport Council has officially approved new Formula 1 rules, which will see the series re-introduce a control tyre and bring back tyre changes. The new rules also mean larger wheels and slick tyres will be used. The new rules state: “Each driver will be permitted to use seven sets of dry-weather tyres for each event. All tyres used for qualifying and race must be of the same specification. Tyre changes will be permitted at any time during the race.” While the reintroduction of pit-stop tyre changes and the use of more than one set of tyres will begin next season, the control tyre concept, larger wheel sizes and slick tyres were originally slated for 2008. However, the FIA has allowed for this collection of rules to be brought forward to 2007 if an 80 per cent majority of the Formula One Technical Working Group agree to do so before the end of December 2005.
Continue ReadingNew F1 Rules
A meeting of the Formula 1 commission has voted to re-introduce tyre changes into the racing series. The Daily Telegraph described F1’s decision to reintroduce tyre changes as “far from unanimous”. In addition the series will adopt a new qualifying system for next season as well as a radical alterations to vehicle aerodynamics and appearance.
Continue ReadingBERU F1 TPMS for World’s Fastest Car
Diss-based BERU F1 Systems has been chosen to supply its digital tyre pressure monitoring system DigiTyre for the world’s fastest road car, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4. This is the system’s first OE application and a rare example of direct technology transfer from F1 to road car. With temperatures reaching over 100°C and G forces exceeding 2900G, traditional OEM tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) would struggle to last, thus necessitating the DigiTyre derivative.
Continue ReadingMichelin Rally Tyre Stolen
Michelin representatives have appealed for information regarding the whereabouts of a Michelin Z BTO, which they say was stolen from service facilities during the recent Rally Japan. The incident reportedly took place at the Obihiro service park during the night of 1 October. As you might expect the manufacturer was less the impressed. “The Michelin Group considers acts of this sort to be extremely serious and unreservedly condemns such acts of industrial and technological espionage,” an official statement said implying that the tyre was stolen by a competing manufacturer.
Continue ReadingFIA Considers Reinstating Tyre Changes Into F1
As Kimi Raikonnen celebrates what he has described as one of his best victories ever, the FIA is said to be considering a U-turn on its policy of keeping to one set of tyres per race weekend. Despite starting back in 17th on the grid, Raikonnen powered to victory on the last lap of the Japanese Grand Prix. Renault’s Giancarlo Fisichella and Fernando Alonso filled the remaining podium places. Once again, Michael Schumacher’s seventh place Ferrari was the only Bridgestone shod vehicle to score points.
Continue ReadingWilliams and Toyota F1 Teams Leave Michelin
Michelin has confirmed it will end its F1 links with Williams and Toyota in a press conference at Spa-Francorchamps on Saturday evening. As expected the company also suggested it would pull-out of Formula 1 altogether if it became a single supplier series. However the sport’s governing body, the FIA, hit back at Eduoard’s Michelin’s statement saying: “If Mr Michelin is not aware of these simple facts he shows an almost comical lack of knowledge of modern Formula 1.”
Continue ReadingMichelin to Shed F1 Teams
Tyre supplier Michelin is set to shed at least two F1 teams next year, online news sources have reported. Michelin currently dominates the Formula 1 grid, supplying tyres to 70 per cent of entrants. Michelin CEO Edouard Michelin is expected to announce which teams will swap suppliers to Bridgestone at Spa this weekend. Further speculation has suggested that Michelin may pull out of F1 completely at the end of 2006. Teams tipped to move to Bridgestone include Red Bull and Williams. Toyota is also reported to be under pressure to team up with the fellow Japanese company.
Continue ReadingMonza Demanding Circuit For F1 Tyres
The high-speed Monza Grand Prix circuit will test tyres to the limit, tyre suppliers Bridgestone and Michelin have reported. “Being the fastest circuit on the F1 calendar, the Monza GP is always a fast and furious race. The cars reach around 350km/h in four different places and in the approach to the first chicane, they are actually reaching close to 360km/h,” said Bridgestone F1 technical manager, Hisao Suganuma, adding:
Continue ReadingMichelin Covers US F1 Refund Costs
Michelins half year financial results, published last week, include provision for the cost of reimbursing ticket holders at this years US F1 Grand Prix at Indianapolis, when seven Michelin-shod teams withdrew from the race. The cost, estimated at around 12 million euros, has been accounted for in the operating income figure before non-recurring items, says the company.
Continue ReadingBridgestone to Gain F1 Teams
The Williams, Red Bull and possibly the Toyota Formula 1 teams are to join the Bridgestone camp next season, German publication “Auto Motor & Sport” has reported. Bridgestone currently provides tyres to Ferrari, Jordan and Minardi, while Michelin produces tyres for all the remaining teams. This could mean that the current 7:3 ratio in favour of Michelin could become 6:4 in favour of Bridgestone next year. Both Bridgestone and Ferrari are likely to see the news as a positive development, as the manufacturer is currently only basing its data on one top team.
Continue ReadingEcclestone Insists F1 Will Not Go to Hutchison
The speculation that Formula One might soon be under new ownership was correct, but contrary to reports, the sport will not be falling into Far Eastern hands, the Daily Telegraph has reported. Bernie Ecclestone yesterday dismissed talk of a $1 billion bid from a Hong Kong-based conglomerate, Hutchison Whampoa. “I spoke to Hutchison. They sent a boy to do a mans job. We are not interested in selling to them. We get offers like this every day, but it is not what we want for the future of F1,” Mr Ecclestone told the newspaper.
Continue ReadingIs F1 For Sale?
Hutchison, a company that also owns the UK’s 3 mobile phone network, is reported to be preparing to buy Formula One for about $1 billion (£575 million). Bernie Ecclestone, Formula One tycoon, confirmed on Sunday that he had been approached by the Hong Kong firm.
Continue ReadingMichelin Says F1 Tyre Supply Unbalanced
Michelin has revealed that an eighth team has approached Michelin looking for a Formula supply agreement. Michelin stated that since its return to Formula One it has noticed an imbalance of teams requesting its tyres, with seven teams currently using its products.
Continue ReadingMichelin F1 Tyres The Answer?
Renault F1’s executive director of engineering, Pat Symonds, has spoken of his confidence that Michelin can provide the tyres that will help the team win at the German Grand Prix.
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