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Post by Wycco on Aug 25, 2003 10:00:15 GMT -5
What do you all know about Tyre Contracts- and rules regarding what tyres a team uses.
Do teams sign up for multi-year contracts like they do with drivers/engines etc..etc.. - or is it governed that they have to apply on a yearly basis?
Any clue who is contract with what tyres in the upcoming seasons...
... Hoping Ferrari don't swap to Michelin and see another 2002 next year.
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Post by CFF on Aug 25, 2003 10:30:08 GMT -5
Wycco - For top teams (like Ferrari *cough cough*, Williams & McLaren), multi-year tire contracts are like drivers contracts. By that I mean if the intent of the team is to break (breach) the contract, and they feel it would be to their advantage to do so. they will. Only the team(s) & the tire manufacturers know for sure what their specific contracts states, but I'd be surprised if there weren't some "performance clause" that allows for a team to legally back out. If not .... they'll just back out anyways, and deal with the punative damges at a later date.
All this being said, I doubt Ferrari are to the point with Bridgestone (as of yet) that they're considering bailing on them and going with Michelin. After all, you have to ask yourself, what % of Michelin R&D would Ferrari get (as opposed to the level of attention they receive from Bridgestone)?
CFF
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2002M3
Big Fish
Elite
Posts: 65
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Post by 2002M3 on Aug 25, 2003 10:43:54 GMT -5
Not sure about other Bridgestone teams but Ferrari signed a multi-year contract with BS and it expires in September '05. I think that's what worries Braun and Todt so much. They snookered McLaren and set up this "unique" relationship with BS and never imagined that the Michelin way would work against them.
Definitions:
• Unique - BS contructing a tyre around Ferrari.
• Michelin way - having multiple top teams, each with variable constructions to suit their chassis/suspension.
Now look what's happened...BS saying they will be testing a tyre with a larger contact patch, a more square construction, similar to Michelin. I don't think it's going to work for them any time soon. They have a lot of catching up to do...in the mean time, Ferrari suffers.
M3
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Post by CFF on Aug 25, 2003 10:51:33 GMT -5
Now look what's happened...BS saying they will be testing a tyre with a larger contact patch, a more square construction, similar to Michelin. I don't think it's going to work for them any time soon. They have a lot of catching up to do...in the mean time, Ferrari suffers. M3 Ahhh ..... you gotta love it huh M3  I know I do  CFF |
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2002M3
Big Fish
Elite
Posts: 65
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Post by 2002M3 on Aug 25, 2003 11:00:37 GMT -5
Yeah CFF, I'm luvin every minute of it. I remember just a few short years ago when the BS' gave Ferrari such a gap on everyone...to the point where I only watched the race for 3rd place. Now that Ferrari can't rely on that advantage, their true colours are showing. MS may still win the WDC if it rains in the next 3 events or if others suffer a setback mechanically but now he has his hands full more than ever in his career and that's for damn sure.
M3
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Post by Topcontender on Aug 26, 2003 7:41:46 GMT -5
Ok i thought the new tyre rules allowed for Tyre manufactureres to build a tyre to fit each teams specs as long as it is the same compound. As oppossed to last year where you were only allowed to build one design to fit all your teams.
So if i am Ferrari, i would get rid of Bridgestone. You should use the same tyres as your competitors, and beat the teams on the chassis and engine.
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Post by CFF on Aug 26, 2003 13:46:34 GMT -5
Ok i thought the new tyre rules allowed for Tyre manufactureres to build a tyre to fit each teams specs as long as it is the same compound. As oppossed to last year where you were only allowed to build one design to fit all your teams. TC - My understanding of the current tire manufacturers regulations is that they (Michelin & Bridgestone) are allowed to design/construct a different tire for each team. Different means the sidewall materials & shoulder (corner) design *do the tires have squared shoulders a là Michelin or rounded shoulders like Bridgestone?*. This might result in one team having different sidewall flex characteristics in their BS/Michelin than another team using the same manufacturer. Each team may also have completely different ranges of tire compounds than another team. For instance, Peter Sauber has said that the HARDEST Compound Bridgestone tires Sauber use is softer than the SOFTEST Compound Bridgestone that Ferrari use. Last year, the teams all used the same construction spec tire (within a manufacturer), and only had the freedom to specify what compound ranges they desired. This meant that all Bridgestone runners last year were using the tire developed expressly for the Ferrari. CFF |
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Post by DeadCat on Aug 26, 2003 14:46:03 GMT -5
CFF,
Also in Hungary I noticed the used tyres coming off M$ Ferrari looked hardly worn. Certainly not like tyres being pushed anywhere near their limit..
(DeadCat)
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