Michelin in F1?

[Rocky Balboa]

What was the reason Michelin left F1? Can't remember what they said at the time?

I always liked it when there were 2 tyre manufacturers and the competition it created!

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Doubt they recovered from Indy!

[zac510]

The FIA had announced they would be moving to a single-tyre but Michelin left a year early anyway..

[Rocky Balboa]

zac510 said:

The FIA had announced they would be moving to a single-tyre but Michelin left a year early anyway..

So they left as champions? why?


Now they have left Moto GP aswell! what are they doing!?

Edited by Rocky Balboa on Tuesday 4th November 21:50

[SamHH]

Rocky Balboa said:

So they left as champions? why?

They didn't put in a tender to be the single tyre manufacturer and they left a year early because they said that they didn't want to participate in the formula without any competitors. It might also be the case that they considered the FIA wouldn't award them the contract anyway. Their cock-up at the US GP wouldn't have helped.

Edited by SamHH on Tuesday 4th November 22:22

[skinny]

yep the FIA was going to a single manufacturer which they had no interest in for obvious reasons, indy hurt them and the FIA were pretty annoyed at that too so even if they'd wanted it they wouldn't have got the contract.

[mikee boy]

I find it bizarre that the FIA declares a single manufacturer for anything. Teams should be free to take productts from any manufacturer so long as they are within the rules.

[jacobyte]

mikee boy said:

I find it bizarre that the FIA declares a single manufacturer for anything. Teams should be free to take productts from any manufacturer so long as they are within the rules.

[VladD]

jacobyte said:

mikee boy said:

I find it bizarre that the FIA declares a single manufacturer for anything. Teams should be free to take productts from any manufacturer so long as they are within the rules.

I'm not sure, but it may have been part of the cost cutting drive.

[Muzzer]

VladD said:

jacobyte said:

mikee boy said:

I find it bizarre that the FIA declares a single manufacturer for anything. Teams should be free to take productts from any manufacturer so long as they are within the rules.

I'm not sure, but it may have been part of the cost cutting drive.

Partly. It's also to even up the field a little bit.

We saw in MotoGP over the last 2 years where the superiority of Bridgestone has meant that a good team with a good bike is still nowhere all due to the tyres. Having a control tyre means that, in theory, performance advantage is due to superior rider/driver or superior machine.

[El Guapo]

We now have WSB, MotoGP and F1 with a single tyre supplier. I don't agree with it because it stifles competition and development. Pirelli and Bridgestone need do no more than provide adequate tyres to maintain the level playing field. I also think Michelin have been treated badly, having supported many categories of racing over the years.

[andy_s]

Excuse the ignorance - what happened with Michellin at Indie/US GP??

[StevenJJ]

andy_s said:

Excuse the ignorance - what happened with Michellin at Indie/US GP??

Ralf Schumacher left rear failure

Michelin boys running round covering the tyres up

I think Zonta had an earlier failure too.

The result on race-day after Michelin-running teams were advised/told not to compete

[andy_s]

Cheers

[telecat]

The Indy "incident" was caused by a new surface being put onto the oval if I remember correctly. Some sort of "saw tooth" ridging that Bridgestone obtained data on from Firestone. Michelin were hamstrung by not being able to bring in new tyres due to the ruling about tyre "nomination" before the race weekend. As for MotoGP, the FIM brought in a similar rule. As Michelin basically "reacted" to the first test and ran off "custom" tyres they were not as prepared as Bridgestone when limited to nominated tyres. It's a feature of Bridgestone that the tyres tend to be on the "conservative" side of the performance envelope". Hence Michelin would be blindingly quick but would probably "go off" sooner.

[woof]

VladD said:

jacobyte said:

mikee boy said:

I find it bizarre that the FIA declares a single manufacturer for anything. Teams should be free to take productts from any manufacturer so long as they are within the rules.

I'm not sure, but it may have been part of the cost cutting drive.

Actually it saved on all the tyre testing days - so saved the teams alot of money as well.

I don't think it's hurt the racing at all either.

[entropy]

woof said:

Actually it saved on all the tyre testing days - so saved the teams alot of money as well.

I don't think it's hurt the racing at all either.

Too much emphasis on tyres in a tyre war especially if the competition is unhealthy, superior/inferior tyre brands will give you processional races

IMO there should be parity of somekind but it should come from the tyres, however I do believe in the spirit of competition and pushing the envelope. Perhaps every 5 years as single supplier and then rotate with another 5 years with a tyre war?

Edited by entropy on Monday 10th November 14:37

[skinny]

tyre war for a year, the winner gets sole tyre supply for next two years, then repeat

[zac510]

It was good when every now and again the lesser tyre company got their tyres 'right' and upset the apple cart for a weekend. Everyone likes the underdog.