Formula One
Michelin is reportedly close to returning to Formula One, albeit not as a standard tyre supplier. Although the news remains unconfirmed, Autosport reported that the French tyre manufacturer is in “advanced negotiations with the FIA about the terms of a return for the first time since it quit at the end of 2006.” A formal announcement confirming Michelin’s role is expected this month, according to the reports.
If Autosport has it right, Michelin is not far from a decision regarding a return to Formula 1, although not as a sole tyre supplier. According to the autosport.com website, the French tyre maker may make an announcement regarding this during April.
The first back-to-back Grand Prix of the 2010 Formula One season takes place at the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia this weekend; tyre supplier Bridgestone will be taking 2,000 hard, soft and intermediate compound Potenzas. The company’s director of Motorsport Tyre Development, Hirohide Hamashima believes the circuit, with two long straights leading into tight, slow speed corners which require heavy braking, will be putting high energy levels through the tyres. In addition to the range of corners and the circuit’s general layout the hot weather will also provide a harsh test for the drivers’ management of their tyres. There is also a poetically cyclical aspect to Bridgestone’s visit; “much of our natural rubber comes from this region,” states Bridgestone Motorsport director, Hiroshi Yasukawa.
That was more like it. While the season opening Grand Prix at Bahrain was widely judged a damp squib, the Australian Grand Prix saw drivers taking greater risks with tyre wear as they fought to find the sweet spot between speed and longevity. Once again, Sebastian Vettel can count himself unfortunate, as technical problems once again cost him a probable victory, so serenely did he command the opening stages from a pole position start. Lewis Hamilton, hardly a neophyte to moaning, compounded a miserable weekend by taking a second pit-stop at the behest of the McLaren team; one which Hamilton claimed after the race was unnecessary and cost him a podium place. The decision was made based on tyre wear information, showing once again the potential for rubber-based intrigue in this year’s Championship.
Michael Schumacher was present at an event at the RACV City Club in Melbourne today, helping Bridgestone show its support for the FIA’s ‘Make Cars Green’ programme, which aims to educate motorists about the measures they can take to ensure their driving is as ecologically conscious as possible. Schumacher used the Bridgestone media event to speak about some of the practical applications of Make Cars Green. “We are delighted to have had Michael with us in Melbourne today to help promote the Make Cars Green program,” said Andrew Moffatt, Bridgestone Australia senior executive director.
Bridgestone Motorsport Tyre Development director, Hirohide Hamashima looks forward to the greater tyre challenges posed to competitors than at the season-opener in Bahrain in the Australian Grand Prix this weekend, while explaining that the supplier has addressed the issues experienced at the circuit last year: “As we saw last season, Albert Park can present many challenges. This is the first race of the season held on a non-permanent circuit. We expect to see a lot of track improvement over the course of the weekend, which makes finding a good set-up difficult.
Cooper is looking forward to another season as title-sponsor and tyre-supplier to the British Formula Three Series. The company says that British F3 is one of the world’s most successful championships for aspiring Formula One drivers; with stars including Ayrton Senna, Mika Hakkinen, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton all racing in the series on their way to F1, it isn’t difficult to back up that claim. Most recently the last two champions have leapt straight to F1 – 2008 title winner Jaime Alguersuari now races with the Toro Rosso team while last year’s champion, Daniel Ricciardo, has been appointed official reserve driver for both Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso in 2010.
YHI International produces some of the best known wheel brands (such as OZ, Enkei, Advanti, Breyton and Konig) in the business. However up till now, with the exception of some high profile motorsport supply deals such as with Formula One, virtually all of these have been destined for the European and global replacement markets. When Tyres & Accessories interviewed YHI Manufacturing (Singapore) PTE Ltd CEO, Thomas Lee at the company’s Shanghai wheel production at the end of 2009, the executive suggested that both original equipment supply and further motorsport activities could be in the offing for the manufacturer.
In the first half of 2009, the effects of the global recession meant YHI International Ltd experienced a continuation of the “slow” period that was evident during the fourth quarter of 2008. By the third quarter of the year sales were comparable with the same period in 2008. The further quarter of 2009 brought with it tentative signs of recovery, with company representatives telling T&A that early “signals of economic recovery appeared to be true.”
Just a month after Halfords bought Nationwide Autocentres for £73.2 million, the new owners have reported that like-for-like sales have grown 5 per cent since the buyout. According to the company, the integration plan is “progressing well” and the programme of rebranding the centres under the Halfords moniker will be rolled out during 2011.
David Wild, chief executive officer, commented: “Halfords retail performance continues to be robust, with full year earnings now anticipated to grow by approximately 25 per cent. The acquisition of Nationwide Autocentres, completed during the quarter, logically extends our successful service proposition and provides a further opportunity for future growth.”
Cold water has been poured upon rumours that Bridgestone is reconsidering its decision to end its Formula 1 tyre supply after the 2010 season. According to Autosport, Bridgestone's director of motorsport Hiroshi Yasukawa said "unfortunately our company has made the decision, and nothing has changed."
Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa made the Bahrain Grand Prix the first in what looks likely to be a series of Ferrari one-two finishes on Sunday, while former champions Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton bemoaned the difficulties imposed by new tyre and fuel regulations. Schumacher said he “struggled with the new tyre rules,” and that, combined with the refuelling ban, “overtaking is basically impossible with the new regulations.” Hamilton stated: “It’s very difficult to follow [in Bahrain], while looking after the tyres.” Tyre supplier Bridgestone’s director of Motorsport Tyre Development, Hirohide Hamashima made the point that “tyre management, as expected, was very important in this first race with no refuelling. The cars and drivers which were more forgiving to their tyres were rewarded with more durable performance.” Hamilton conceded that the most interesting aspect of the 2010 season looks likely to be in “understanding the tyres and conserving fuel load; knowing when to attack and when not to attack.”
Hirohide Hamashima, Bridgestone director of Motorsport Tyre Development, was satisfied that the company’s Formula One Potenza tyres were meeting the required standard after the second practice session was dominated by quick times from Mercedes GP and McLaren drivers, most notably Nico Rosberg. The expected searing heat of Bahrain presented a significant challenge to the tyre supplier, being “the first time that teams have run in hot weather with the 2010 Bridgestone Potenza tyres,” according to Hamashima. Rosberg’s achievement was particularly startling, given that his fastest lap approached half a second faster than former champions Lewis Hamilton and teammate Michael Schumacher, who also showed impressive speed. Defending champion Jenson Button was fourth fastest.
A rally is to take place at Donington Race Track on Sunday 7 March, 2010 in an attempt to secure the Castle Donington facility’s future. The Facebook group behind the rally, set up by schoolteacher and racing fan Lee Coombs, has nearly 12,000 members, meaning the rally has a good chance of a high attendance – the latest estimate being 10,000 attendees, according to Derby’s Evening Telegraph. The event will be attended by the current owner Kevin Wheatcroft, who is said to be in talks with several potential investors keen to restart racing at the venue. Wheatcroft will attend the event, a source told Tyrepress.com, at which he is expected to make an announcement about Donnington’s future.
Bridgestone’s 4×4 run-flat (RFT) tyre, the Dueler H/P Sport RFT, has proved a popular choice with 4×4 vehicle manufacturers and has a number original equipment fitments including recent fitments on the BMW X5M and X6M, according to the tyre manufacturer.
An article published by Spanish sports publication El Mundo Deportivo indicates concern from Formula 1 teams about tyres for the 2011 season may be behind alleged attempts to woo Bridgestone back into the tyre supply fold. The Japanese manufacturer stated cost as one of the reasons for its decision not to continue with the championship after 2010, however talks are now allegedly taking place to find ways of reducing necessary expenditure below the 55 million euros per annum Bridgestone currently spends.
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