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Cooper Tires British F3 Adopts Pit Stops, but No Tyre Changes

The Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series heads to Rockingham alongside The Avon Tyres British GT Championship this weekend (17-18 July) with the former introducing pit stops and the latter entering the second half of a closely fought season. Teams and drivers from F3 have reportedly welcomed the introduction of pit stops as an exciting addition to the format of the innovative junior single-seater championship. Mandatory pit stops along the lines of those employed in Formula One will be tried for the first time in the second of the weekend’s trio of Rockingham races. The aim, according to Cooper, is to give drivers experience of the race strategy element that takes place in F1, even though tyres will not be changed. Meanwhile Avon’s British GT Championship heads to Rockingham following a six-week break, and things in this year’s title race are looking close. At the sharp end of the grid, the GT3 class the battle looks likely to continue until the final round, with only 16 points separating the top five teams in the championship.

15th July 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Ecclestone: F1 Needs Faster Wearing Tyres

Bernie Ecclestone believes faster wearing tyres will make for more exciting racing in Formula One. According to Tire Review, Ecclestone told Italy’s Gazzetta dello Sport he thinks F1 tyres should last no more than 100 kilometres, forcing teams into at least two pit stops. “People want more overtaking," Ecclestone states. “I have a proposal: tyre sets that can be used for a maximum of 100 kilometres, with the one used in qualifying to be used in the first part of the race. This way we'd have more tyre changes at different times and there would be more confusion. The best races are the messy ones.” Ecclestone made no mention that fuel stops have been eliminated from F1 races, removing as many as two pit stops per race.

12th July 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Displays New Concept Commercial Vehicle Product, VW Links

Hankoook made its ninth Reifen appearance in a large booth next to Pirelli in Hall 3, reflecting the company’s current importance on the European market. Hankkok characterised its presence in Essen is something of a “home game”: the company argues that it is now an established presence at the show and, thanks to its increased market share and growth, Europe has become a home territory – especially considering the company’s production plant in Hungary, which has recently received Volkswagen certification.

Volkswagen has been ordering Hankook’s products since 2002, and its inspection team’s report gave the Hungarian facility the highest possible marks. The tyre manufacturer expects to supply Volkswagen Group models using Hankook products to be supplied directly from the site. Jin-Wook Choi, executive vice-president and head of Hankook Tire in Europe, stated: “We are proud and happy to maintain business ties with the Volkswagen Group and other leading European automotive manufacturers in a spirit of mutual trust and confidence. German car manufacturers, in particular, are known for their stringent quality standards and for top-notch technology and performance. At Hankook Tire, we share this passion for technological perfection.”

8th July 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Poll Suggests UK Drivers are Sceptical about Eco-Friendly Cars

In a recent online poll conducted on behalf of Bridgestone to coincide with the company’s 2010 Eco Rally, almost a quarter of people (23 per cent) in the UK would not consider buying or driving an eco-friendly vehicle. Of that number, more than four in ten (42 per cent) believe electric or hydrogen-powered cars and motorbikes would be a hassle to fill up or charge. The 2010 Bridgestone Eco Rally takes place on Wednesday, 7 July and showcases the latest in low and zero emission vehicle technology in a convoy from Brighton – which contains the first UK constituency to elect an MP from the Green Party – to London’s Hyde Park.

6th July 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Is Bridgestone Also Pulling out of MotoGP?

Bridgestone has already shed Formula One from its motorsport activities, but could another major worldwide series also find itself without the Japanese manufacturer’s rubber when the company’s exclusive supply contract expires in 2011? Motorports news source Racers Republic has reported a rumour is circulating in the MotoGP paddock that Bridgestone could pull out of the sport in 2011 for financial reasons.

5th July 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

“Severe” Silverstone Grand Prix Expected by Bridgestone

Bridgestone Motorsport representatives are anticipating a “severe test” for their tyres at Silverstone for Formula One’s British Grand Prix, described as the company’s effective “home Grand Prix”. “The British Grand Prix is one of the most famous on the calendar and we are pleased to be visiting Silverstone once more,” said director Hiroshi Yasukawa. “Bridgestone Motorsport is based in Langley, near Heathrow, so this is a home Grand Prix for us. I am happy that Formula 1 will experience the new circuit layout that Bridgestone recently enjoyed with the British MotoGP race. Bridgestone UK is a very supportive market of our F1 programme and will enjoy a range of activities there.”

5th July 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

F1 Tyre Supply a $70M Per Annum Investment – Deutsche Bank

Deutsche Bank analysts have estimated Pirelli’s investment in Formula One sole tyre supply between 2011 and 2013 as being US$70 million per season. This annual sum, which may represent a figure at the conservative end of the spectrum, is seen by the bank as positive news for shareholders as it should improve brand equity without affecting profit and loss. As Tyres & Accessories has already reported, Pirelli intends to finance its F1 activities at least in part by reducing its expenditure in other motorsport sponsorship, including WRC.

1st July 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

GP3 Debut for Soft Compound PZero Tyre

Pirelli’s new 13-inch PZero soft compound GP3 tyre made its debut at last weekend’s Valencia street circuit for round three of the all-new series. The tyre, designed to deliberately degrade and slide, remained on the shelf during the first two rounds in Barcelona and Istanbul Park, as the medium compound tyre instead saw action at these venues.

1st July 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Compounds Perform “Strongly” in Valencia

Sebastian Vettel produced a disciplined display to win the European Grand Prix at Valencia’s street circuit, using a super soft-medium tyre strategy. Bridgestone Motorsport declared the performance of both compounds “strong”, with track conditions improving over the course of the race as the streets took on more rubber. Vettel crossed the line ahead of the McLarens of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, following a lengthy safety car period early in the race after a dramatic exit for Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing). Nine cars, including third place finishing Jenson Button, were being investigated after the race for their pace under the safety car, while Hamilton incurred a drive through penalty after an ambiguous move as the safety car arrived. The British driver hesitated when he saw the vehicle pulling out of the pit lane, only to overtake it when it joined the track. Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso – a veteran of a tumultuous season as Hamilton’s team-mate – was angered by the Briton’s actions, suggesting the penalty was not great enough.

28th June 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

WRC Supply Open to All Tyre Makers in 2011

As of 2011, tyre supply to the FIA World Rally Championship is will be open to any tyre manufacturer. On June 23 the FIA gave public notice that the regulations covering tyre supply have been amended to “control costs”. These altered regulations will be presented to the World Motor Sport Council for a fax vote before July 20. The FIA Junior World Rally Championship will, however, continue with a single tyre supplier.

25th June 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

F1 Tyre Supply to Have “Zero” Impact on Pirelli’s Budget

The cat’s been out of the bag for a couple of weeks, but now it is official – as of next year, Pirelli will serve as official exclusive tyre supplier to the Formula One championship. The Italian manufacturer will supply all F1 teams from 2011 to 2013, and no additional funds are required in order to do so.

24th June 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Declined to Bid for F1, Competition Boss Declares

According to a report in French sports newspaper L’Equipe, Michelin did not officially bid for the supply of Formula One. The French manufacturer’s Competition manager Paul Shorrock told L’Equipe that while Michelin did hold talks to discuss the possibility of re-entering the sport, the company’s official position remained out while “current regulations” remained “in force in 2011”.

24th June 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Confirmed – Pirelli to Supply F1

The cat’s been out of the bag for a couple of weeks, but now it is official – as of next year, Pirelli will serve as official exclusive tyre supplier to the Formula One championship. The Italian manufacturer will supply all F1 teams from 2011 to 2013 and supply six types of tyre: four for dry weather, one for rain and one intermediate tyre.

24th June 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli Tipped to Receive F1 Confirmation Today

The FIA’s World Motor Sport Council meeting in Geneva today could yield confirmation – finally – of Formula One’s reported deal with Pirelli to supply tyres to the series from next year. Motorsport website motorsport.com suggests that FOTA, the association for the sport’s teams, have signed a letter of intent and that contracts with Bernie Ecclestone are also in the bag.

23rd June 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Motorsport Announces Tyre Specs for 5 More GPs

Having been praised in many quarters for its policy of providing a greater difference in tyre compounds, leading to an engrossing tactical battle as drivers found the best way to utilise wearing rubber, Bridgestone has announced the compound allocations of Potenza tyres for five more rounds of the 2010 Formula One World Championship will remain at least two steps apart. The German Grand Prix is the anomaly, as it will feature the hard and super soft compounds, meaning the allocated tyres will be three steps apart, perhaps making for a more intense technical challenge for drivers.

21st June 2010/by Tyrepress Editors