The FIA has proposed an amendment to Formula 1’s tyre rules for 2008 in order to avoid a repeat of the problems encountered at the recent US Grand Prix. The new rule contains a provision for the stewards to exercise their discretion and approve the use of tyres other than those nominated by the manufacturer prior to a race meeting in the event of an unexpected problem.
In the continuing aftermath of the fateful US Grand Prix, F1’s governing body has contested “Michelin’s version of events” of what happened at the race. The association made the comments by taking the unusual step of publishing its correspondence to the manufacturer. An FIA statement said it decided to do so because earlier correspondence had been “deliberately leaked to members of the press.”
Bridgestone has put itself forward to be the sole F1 tyre supplier if Max Mosley’s 2008 regulations come into place.
“We want to showcase our technology,” said the manufacturer’s technical manager Hisao Suganuma, “even with a one make situation. We want to be in Formula One.”
FIA president, Mosley, claims that imposing a single slick tyre would improve safety and reduce the need to test.
It will also ensure that no team is affected by being “contracted to the ‘wrong’ supplier”, an FIA dossier read.
Michael Schumacher, one of Formula 1’s most successful drivers, is not having fun in the sport and may retire soon, his brother Ralph told the Sport Bild Newspaper on Wednesday. “I don’t believe that Michael will be driving for very much longer,” Toyota driver Ralph told the German sports publication.
Jenson Button and the BAR team will miss both the Barcelona and Monaco races, the FIA decided that the team had run an underweight car at Imola. The Formula 1 ruling authority also stripped BAR of the 10 points won by its two cars during the race. The BAR team has stated that it was not cheating and vowed to contest the penalty.
The Renault of Fernando Alonso took first place at Sunday’s San Marino Grand Prix, on a completely new design of Michelin Formula 1 tyre. Following the result, second place Michael Schumacher is reported to have pronounced that “Bridgestone are back.” “They have suffered a lot of (bad) publicity lately,” the Ferrari driver added. Now, following a successful race at Imola, the tyre supplier is confident that the team it supplies can push for the championship once again. “I think we can say that the Bridgestone was the better tyre today,” said technical manager Hisao Suganuma.
Although Michael Schumacher’s car was lapping two seconds faster than any other car at one point, in terms of points Michelin supplied drivers dominated. Following Fernando Alonso’s win, and Michael Schumacher’s second place BAR Honda’s Jenson Button, filled the remaining podium space. After that all other point scoring positions were filled by Michelin drivers. “It’s clear that (Bridgestone) have upped their game,” said Michelin’s Pierre Dupasquier.
(Akron/Tire Review) Falken Tire Corp has announced its 2005 contingency programme for Formula Drift series. Falken has put together a Team Falken “works” team, but is offering payouts to works or private teams using its tyres in Formula Drift competition.
“Tyres are by far the most costly recurring expense in drifting,” said Nick Fousekis, Falken’s performance marketing manager. “We want to help drivers – and especially the privateer teams that earn their way to the winner’s circle on Falken tyres.” In the contingency programme, event winners on Falken tyres take home $2,000, while a series champion will win $5,000. Falken will pay through eighth place finishes per event, and first through third for the series.
(Akron/Tire Review) Kumho Tire USA has expanded its 2005 motorsport efforts, making its first appearance in professional drifting competition. Florida-based Enjuku Racing will compete on Kumho Ecsta MX tyres in Formula Drift, World Drift Challenge and D1 Grand Prix events. The team made its debut at a Formula Drift event in New Jersey on 16 April.
Avon Tyres Racing and the Ford Racing Formula Ford Australian championship will continue their association due to the recent selection of the Avon ACB10 Semi Slick as ‘control tyre’ for a further six years. Completion of the agreement in 2010 will make Avon’s 15-year control tyre selection the longest such arrangement in the world, says the manufacturer.
Commenting on Avon’s involvement in the Australian Formula Ford championship, Julian Baldwin, Avon Tyres’ director of marketing and motorsport, said: “As part of Avon’s worldwide support of the Formula Ford class we are very happy to be associated, once again and on a continuing basis, with the Formula Ford Australian championship.”
Drivers from 15 different countries, including Great Britain, Venezuela and Canada, will be among the contenders of the opening two rounds of the 2005 Cooper Tyres Championship for Formula Ford 2000 cars, that kicks off as part of the Grand Prix of Atlanta ALMS event at Road Atlanta next weekend.
Drivers Jay Howard and Joey Foster will be representing Britain. Howard contested two races in the Cooper tyres championship last season, winning once at Infineon Raceway. Foster won the Formula Ford Festival and World Cup at Brands Hatch in 2003, and will drive for Cape Motorsports, which has won the title in three of the last five years.
The FIA World Motor Sport Council has released an official statement confirming that there will be no rule changes in Formula 1 until 2008, according to Adrivo Sportpresse.
A control tyre will not be introduced in F1 before the end of 2007 stated the press release.
Bridgestone received the news well, commenting that the absence of a control tyre keeps healthy competition thriving between the tyre manufacturers.
Pascal Vasselon, former motorsports project manager at Michelin, will soon make a return to the pitlane, this time in a Toyota uniform. According to reports the Frenchman will take up a position in Cologne’s R&D department prior to the San Marino grand prix late next month. Asked what Mr Vasselon’s next move might be, motorsport director Pierre Dupasquier said in Melbourne: “It’s up to him. He loves Formula One.”
(Akron/Tire Review) Speculation that Bridgestone is “unhappy” with its Formula 1 partner Ferrari is “totally untrue,” according to Adrian Atkinson, Bridgestone’s F1 media delegate.
As part of a long-standing relationship with the maker of some of Britain’s best loved sports cars, Avon Tyre Racing has developed special ultra-high performance road and race tyres for the 155 mph Caterham Seven CSR.
Minardi owner, Paul Stoddart, has singled out the Formula 1’s new tyre rule for criticism. Running tyres for a whole race distance creates additional concerns he explained. “I’ll tell you what, if there is a serious accident, and I sincerely hope there isn’t, the person who brought this regulations in will be totally responsible,” Paul Stoddart told the Australian Sports Entertainment Network. “And it wasn’t any of the teams.”
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