[2puO4Rhf]

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...d=aji.NnsmoO.U

http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2010/...he-last-laugh/
http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2010/0...out-f1-return/

[boxcigsnick]

Well its nice that someone wants to supply F1 with tyres.

[Soadiassy]

Would be nice if it was Michelin and A N Other(s), oh well

[Seerseraxlils]

I hope that if Michelin are seeking to be the F1 tyre they insist on tyres that will last the entire distance and the artificial pit stop era will come to absolute end.

Supplying perhaps two types of tyres one softer the other harder for all teams during a weekend that last an entire race distance. Also used for practice and setting grid times would see a return to the time when drivers had to use their ability to conserve tyres.

I am pleased that the refuelling BS is now gone and so ought the tyre changes.

If Michelin is the only company willing then they will be able to set the rules - more power to them. I hope the FIA squirm and squeal under this pressure and threat of not having a tyre for 2011.

It is already very late in the day and hopefully any Michelin interest means a plan is already in place.

I just hope we do not end up with some quirky named Korean tyre - this is F1 and it ought to mean top traditional brand names. Keep EUROPE dominant in F1 - its where the fan base is!!!

[TimoDassss]

Michelin coming back would be fantastic, lets face it, by the end of thier last stint in F1 they had Bridgestone well and truely bossed, thrashing Bridgestone in 2005 when Mad Max decreed that tyre stops were banned and then again in 2006 when for me they were the key difference maker in the battle between Renault and Ferarri for the title.

Some of the teams and drivers have been critical of Bridgestone's F1 products since they became the sole supplier, with complaints that the tyres werent exactly pushing the envelope in terms of either grip or durability, I feel having Michelin back would throw the emphassis back on innovation, which is good for both Michelin and F1.

[bZEUWO4F]

It's nice to see the return of the Michelin name, but I hate this sole-supplier business. It would be so good to see a full mix of suppliers from the past and do away with the tyre stops. That will really test how good each tyre manufacturer is with competition in durability (having to last a full race) and performance. One can dream

[pimbertiemoft]

Why is everyone so down on pit stops? They're the best part of the race; we get to watch people working on cars!

[gopsbousperie]

I can't remember if I posted on here a while back that I figured if there was only one tire supplier that they would dictate to F1/FIA just what the tire rules will be. I know I wrote an article in it for www.thegarageblog.com
Anyway it only makes sense as they will want to keep their costs down.
Probably only 2 or 3 compounds for the year and tires capable of going the race distance. Quite possibly greatly reduced number of sets provided per car per weekend.

[bZEUWO4F]

Why is everyone so down on pit stops? They're the best part of the race; we get to watch people working on cars!

Personally myself, I think the best part of the race is when the cars are actually racing. On the track, overtaking, out-breaking, flat out through fast sections and accompanied by the sound of a screaming V8

But don't let me speak for everyone - I do miss the V12s though

[Narkeere]

If Michelin comes back, maybe Renault can once again become a serious force in F1? After all, they seem to have lost their mojo after Michelin's departure.

[boxcigsnick]

Why is everyone so down on pit stops? They're the best part of the race; we get to watch people working on cars!

I too enjoy the drama of pitstops but I do not like the fact they are compulsory. I would LOVE it if the new tyre company could provide a tyre that was surable enough for a whole GP but also a considerable faster but fast wearing compound that would require a couple of stops. It would have to be carefully designed so that both tyres had very similar overall race times.

[CesseOveldset]

I too enjoy the drama of pitstops but I do not like the fact they are compulsory. I would LOVE it if the new tyre company could provide a tyre that was surable enough for a whole GP but also a considerable faster but fast wearing compound that would require a couple of stops. It would have to be carefully designed so that both tyres had very similar overall race times.

Back in the late 80's/early 90's, when Pirelli were a supplier in addition to Goodyear, i think the Pirelli's were fast (although they never supplied to a particularly fast team) but wore quickly. The teams using them did not benefit.....

[boxcigsnick]

Back in the late 80's/early 90's, when Pirelli were a supplier in addition to Goodyear, i think the Pirelli's were fast (although they never supplied to a particularly fast team) but wore quickly. The teams using them did not benefit.....

Yeah, but I was thinking about a sole supplier - as you say multiple suppliers is a different game.

But based on the presumption that we'll have a single manufacturer for a while I'd like to seea car that has chosen the faster tyre having to overtake (perhaps multiple times) to beat the non stoppers. That's just me though.

[pimbertiemoft]

Personally myself, I think the best part of the race is when the cars are actually racing. On the track, overtaking, out-breaking, flat out through fast sections and accompanied by the sound of a screaming V8

But don't let me speak for everyone - I do miss the V12s though

Overtaking? Outbreaking? I think you have the wrong forum, we're talking about F1.

[dexterljohnthefinanceguy]

Why is everyone so down on pit stops? They're the best part of the race; we get to watch people working on cars!

I agree. I love pit duels.

[enlinnyGoob]

I agree. I love pit duels.

+1

[CesseOveldset]

Don't we only love pit duels because, generally, cock all else happens on track?

[Attaniuri]

I'd certainly like to see the return of 2 tyre manufacturers to add a bit of spice to the proceedings.

Fuel rigs being dragged away in Singapore, Mclaren's exiting their slot and setting Ferrari's on fire etc have all been exciting stuff over the last seasons and it usually makes a dull race exciting. Tyre battles will replace what has already been taken away IMO.

[HoqCBYMl]

I dont want to see Michelin back in F1. The 2005 USGP fiasco still sits badly with me.

[Attaniuri]

I dont want to see Michelin back in F1. The 2005 USGP fiasco still sits badly with me.

Yeah that was a major cock up by them, but they were only a component in a situation which was so badly managed IMO. The FIA should have listened to the majority and made a decision to either allow all the cars (including Bridgestone runners) to pit, allow a reduced speed limit through that section, or agree to a temporary chicane. All three options would have been a compromise but would have enabled the race to continue. Jean Todt blocked all options which made it difficult for the FIA to over rule his decision and we ended up with a procession. I don't blame Ferrari or Todt as they had an advantage that they didn't want to lose. But the fans were not thought of that day and the deadlock meant we witnessed one of the worst cock ups in the history of Formula One.

Michelin were the major factor in that debacle, but it was handled terribly by everyone involved. Even Paul Stoddart whose cars were 2 of the 6 ontrack threatened to pull his cars out as he didn't want to be part of the embarrassment, but Bridgestone and the FIA suggested he would be the subject of legal action if Minardi failed to compete. It was a no win situation and the FIA failed to reach an acceptable decision at the expense of the fans and viewers IMO..