Tyre gripes

[Lotusonpole]

Hi All...
just read on BBC Sports page...
Saubers tyre testing allowance...

Maybe the answer to level the playing field is to only allow tyre testing time equivalent to that of the independant teams...So the bigger budjet teams are not able to gain, at least initially the advantage they currently enjoy???

Cheers
Peter

[Paarma]

It could work, but I have developed an allergy for all these special rules and exceptions to the rules which only apply for certain teams under certain special conditions. All this to manipulate the performance of the teams artificially. I guess it's necessary to keep the smaller teams alive, but I find the situation a bit unnatural.

[Lotusonpole]

You are not wrong Paarma.
It's just that the grid would be depleted if some of the smaller teams went under. And I thiought if all the teams at least started a season on a more even footing it may give the sport a little spice.
For example last year when the new rules came in, it was not a bad season overall, unlike this year.

Cheers
Peter

[RWC]

Yes,a tyre testing allowance would work pretty well-if it is truly fair.
Several years back the fia allowed two top teams(and ONLY two) to do development work for the tyre companies ,so they were allowed 50days(number could be wrong)extra testing over all the other teams.

What an abortion of an idea that was.Typical of the fia

[twig]

Would that not mean an advantage for Ferrari, with Sauber being on the same tyres - theoretically 2 times more data.

But i like the idea - up there with a limited testing concept.

[Lotusonpole]

I think tyre testing should be restricted for all teams to a number of days that the least wealthy team could afford.
Its a loose idea I know but if its applied fairly then all teams would enjoy equal benefit.

Cheers
Peter

[touringcarnut]

Limited tyre testing would also reduce costs, alllowing the small teams to spend more money on the actual car, not the rubber underneath it.

[grumpy1]

Yes to limit tyre testing would improve the bottom line for the smaller teams but how about closing the loop holes in the current system.I mean if a team can test at three or four tracks on the same day as Ferrari does and have it count as one day there will always be problems.Im not having a go at Ferrari,good on them for exploiting the loop hole,but rather Max and his lot for not putting an end to it earlier.

The Grumpy1

[Lotusonpole]

Very good point Grumpy 1.

Maybe if all concerned sorted out things like tyre testing it would certainly help the little teams. The big boys would get the upper hand as usual but at least it would make for a more even start to a season. And who knows if the little teams did well the momentum may carry them a little further as the year progressed.
Funny thing momentum...

Cheers
Peter

[Kicking-back]

Have one specification of slick and one specification of wet, all made by one manufacturer.

Then no tyre testing is needed.

[Lotusonpole]

Nice one,
in theory but which tyre manufacturer would back out of F1?
Cheers
Peter

[grumpy1]

Michelin.They have already said they would not be interested in being sole supplier.In there words "we are here for the competition"

The Grumpy1

[Mr V]

Originally posted by RWC

Several years back the fia allowed two top teams(and ONLY two) to do development work for the tyre companies ,so they were allowed 50days(number could be wrong)extra testing over all the other teams.

What an abortion of an idea that was.Typical of the fia

Are you sure about this? Iirc, the FIA set all teams 50 days testing only but couldn't police it because Ferrari had their own test tracks and couldn't account for their running, thus, having to allow every team unlimited testing.

[Mr V]

Originally posted by Kicking-back
Have one specification of slick and one specification of wet, all made by one manufacturer.

Then no tyre testing is needed.

But the tyres would still need to be tested. When Goodyear were sole tyre supplier, they still had teams doing testing work.

[grumpy1]

Originally posted by Mr V
But the tyres would still need to be tested. When Goodyear were sole tyre supplier, they still had teams doing testing work.

Agreed.There is only one tyre supplier that has the set up to test themselves and that is Michelin.Here in lies the problem as they are not interested in being sole supplier.
To put that into perspective Michelin at there French test facility(location escapes me)have a F1 track as well as a couple of old Williams chassis they purchased when announcing there arrivial back into F1.The also have the old Arrows cars which they purchased for a song when TWR went belly up.They use these for the Michelin F1 experience.
They have the resources to test themselves so if they could be inticed to stay in F1 tyre testing could be banned except on Friday practice for the teams.

The Grumpy1

[Kicking-back]

There wouldn't be any need to test tyres once you'd set the original specification.

Just keep it the same for the whole season.

It works in most series with a single tyre.

Ie Champ Car, F3000, etc.

[grumpy1]

True but in an effort to keep all the teams happy and have some hope of inforcing the law,if it were to become so,would be have Michelin create 3 maybe 4 different mixes,compile the data and make it availible to all the teams.The other point is more a safty issue with wets as Michelin are able to simulate a wet race.

The Grumpy1