F1 - Technical Regulations 2008

[LUD02C]

I agree with Vivski, I'm happy with a lot of mechanical grip and less aero maybe down it by 40%.

Slicks shouldn't of left the F1 circuit, but changing back to "standard" ECU and non carbon fibre brakes etc is just crazy in my mind.

[^^v]

[10/09/05 - 20:34]

Michelin threaten 2007 pull-out
Seeking competition, not a control tyre series





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Edouard Michelin makes his views clear at Spa
Michelin said this evening at Spa Francorchamps that they will pull out of Formula One if plans for a single tyre manufacturer are forced through by the FIA for the 2008 season.

Michelin currently supplies seven of the ten teams on the Grand Prix grid while rival brand Bridgestone supplies Ferrari, Jordan and Minardi. In a day of announcements, Red Bull has confirmed they will stay with Michelin in 2006, while Williams are to move over to Bridgestone and will be followed by Toyota.

In a press conference this evening Michelin chief Edouard Michelin warned: "We will withdraw from 2008 if there is a single tyre and before that, before 2007 maybe. We will consider the situation."

The teams, manufacturers and the governing body, the FIA, are currently in discussions over plans for a new set of regulations to commence when the current Concorde Agreement comes to an end in 2007.


FIA President Max Mosley has been pushing for the introduction of a single tyre supplier, the contract for which would be put out to tender for both manufactures as well as any outside companies. But with an agreement expected on the new rules by the end of the year, Michelin's comments suggested the company could end their involvement in the sport as soon as the end of 2006 if the single supplier proposals are voted in.

"We have stated repeatedly that we are opposed to this proposal made by the FIA of controlled monopoly tyres with a specific tyre supplier for 2008," Michelin said. "The main argument which is presented in favour of control tyres is that competing tyre manufacturers increase the number of tests and therefore Formula One costs. But we have solutions to reduce costs without limiting competition."

Michelin argued that his company's work with rivals Pirelli in the World Rally Championship has proven that tyre manufacturers can compete openly while maintaining a controlled budget. He appealed to the Michelin teams to consult with their Bridgestone rivals to discuss proposals to achieve cost savings, among which are possible measures concerning the number of tyres per race as well as limiting testing distance.

"There is probably more than 100 million (Dollars) to save by controlling the testing so the economic argument to eliminate competition and choice between and for tyre manufacturers simply does not make sense," he continued. "This is our analysis. So maybe there are other reasons behind the FIA proposals for monopoly tyre and we would like those behind the ideas within the FIA to be transparent about their intentions and this is not the case today."



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This evening's Michelin press conference at Spa
"In the event that control tyre was adopted, we assume this would involve tenders. What are the selection criteria and will the FIA disclose that? We are seeking more transparency on this."

Michelin arrived in Formula One in March 2001 as supplier to five of the then 11 teams - Williams, Benetton, Jaguar, Minardi and Prost - and have gradually increased their share of the grid.

McLaren Mercedes switched to Michelin tyres two years ago, BAR Honda made the move for the start of last year and Sauber crossed to the French manufacturer at the start of this season.

The introduction of new regulations that require tyres to last for a full race distance this season has seen Michelin rise to the top with Bridgestone struggling to perform after winning the title for the last seven years. But Bridgestone remains committed to the sport whereas Michelin are no longer happy with the proposed tyre rules for the future.

E.A.
Source AFP

f1live.com

[^^v]

[10/09/05 - 19:58]

Talking Bridgestone tyres for 2006
Williams announce deal, Toyota to follow






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Toyota all set to announce Bridgestone deal..
Williams will join tyre supplier Bridgestone on a multi-year agreement and Toyota are set to announce a switch before the end of the year, it was confirmed this evening at Spa Francorchamps.

Williams will join current world champions Ferrari and back marker teams Jordan and Minardi as partners with the Japanese company from the start of 2006 after using Michelin rubber since the start of 2001.

The news comes at the same time as Red Bull Racing confirmed they will remain with Michelin, who in turn revealed Toyota will switch suppliers next year with the Japanese team stating they are in 'advanced negotiations' with Bridgestone.

Bridgestone enjoyed a monopoly in Formula One in 1999 and 2000 but have been losing teams since Michelin arrived in the sport and the French company has 'buckled under the workload' of supporting seven teams this year according to the AFP news agency.

Michelin are also unsure over their long-term future in the sport after being disappointed by proposed regulations for 2008 that have suggested a move to a single tyre supplier. "We wanted teams to switch," admitted Michelin Motorsport Director Pierre Dupasquier. "We have helped teams negotiate with Bridgestone but as for the sport we will see what happens..."


Bridgestone have won the world championship with their partner teams ever since 1998 and have been a major part of the Ferrari era that saw the Italian giants win six consecutive world titles. Their reign finally came to an end at the last race in Italy last weekend when Ferrari were left with no mathematical possibility of stopping the title going to Renault or McLaren this year.

But Bridgestone's commitment to Ferrari, which has seen a close collaboration between the two companies, has come at the cost of losing partner teams with McLaren Mercedes, BAR Honda and Sauber Petronas all switching in the last three years.

Williams and Toyota's moves to Bridgestone will even the field up with five teams on each tyre manufacturer and it will offer Bridgestone the chance to obtain more knowledge from teams other than lead testers Ferrari.

E.A.
Source AFP

[aaronng]

It's looking so much like those motorsports in the US where everything is controlled. Soon they will want to control the tracks and make all of them oval shaped.

The only thing I liked in the list was this:

Revised bodywork to reduce downforce by approximately 90 percent while allowing cars a wider track. This would allow cars to follow each other far closer through corners without the loss of aerodynamic grip and thus would be likely to increase opportunities for drivers to pass each other.

[^^v]

The only thing I liked in the list was this:

Revised bodywork to reduce downforce by approximately 90 percent while allowing cars a wider track. This would allow cars to follow each other far closer through corners without the loss of aerodynamic grip and thus would be likely to increase opportunities for drivers to pass each other.

imo 90% is waaaaaaay too much...
i would stop watching f1 right then n there if that were to happen... its ridiculous ... thats like v8 supercar levels...... might as well be watching the formula ford races -_-

a better idea would be to have the bulk of the downforce generated from the underbody of the car... that would cause less disturbance to the air behind...

n instead of making the track wider... why not build more tracks lik Turkey...
honestly i dun understand where the FIA (max mosley) r comming from... i mean do they want to destroy the sport?

[aaronng]

imo 90% is waaaaaaay too much...
i would stop watching f1 right then n there if that were to happen... its ridiculous ... thats like v8 supercar levels...... might as well be watching the formula ford races -_-

a better idea would be to have the bulk of the downforce generated from the underbody of the car... that would cause less disturbance to the air behind...

n instead of making the track wider... why not build more tracks lik Turkey...
honestly i dun understand where the FIA (max mosley) r comming from... i mean do they want to destroy the sport?

I think 90% off would bring F1 back to the times of Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna. This would work if you gave the car a less powerful engine, which is what they will use next year.

Building a new track costs the country $$$.. If the FIA gets the power to demand that countries start building new tracks for their F1, then I will turn the TV off... (or hope that the new rival championship starts its motion).

[^^v]

I think 90% off would bring F1 back to the times of Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna. This would work if you gave the car a less powerful engine, which is what they will use next year.

90% is a heck of alota down force (taken off)... realistically 20-30% less aero is understandable.... but 90%? cmon...

and who really wants to see slower cars? sure there'll be more overtaking... but then they'll be at the same level as GP2 (who are about 5-6 secs off the pace)...

[LUD02C]

I said how early this year:

1/ Williams will use a Cosworth engine next year
2/ Williams will go to Bridgestone

GO ME!!!
This is going to help Ferrari so much!

[LUD02C]

I can't see them taking 90% off, that would mean IRL and CART would be running more aero.
Down it by 45% maybe 50% if they are lucky!

Running 10% of aero to what they are now is handing A1 a winter schedule.

[pornstar]

good points, but what level of downforce can be kept which will allow overtaking, because isnt that the point of this whole exercise?

[Vivski]

It's not racing if the cars have to travel in a long line. Convoys are not what track racing is about and that's what high downforce brings. There are other ways to get speed and they will no doubt continue to get faster through engine, drivetrain, suspension and tyre advances.

No-one wants it to be V8 Supercars. They will still be scarily fast, brake and corner in jaw-dropping G-forces, but there will be the added bonus of overtaking. The engineering side continues, 'cos they will have to get the grip from elsewhere.