Revelations of Michelin's proposal to Formula One's powerbrokers makes me smile. The message is Michelin are only interested in returning to F1 if there's open competition between tyre manufacturers - but that the tyre regulations must more or less mirror exactly what Michelin are already producing for Le Mans. Fair competition? Well, if this bill is passed, more power to them.
Michelin has stipulated that if it is to supply tyres to teams the specifications must increase from 13 inch to 18 inch, like their low-profile sports car endurance tyres.
The advantages will be largely green: fewer tyres, lower manufacturing costs, greater longevity. Low-profile tyres will also have more in common with the tyres the audiences at home buy for their Mondeos. They're much more road-relevant, and there's potentially some development synergy there.
There will be a positive impact on safety, because a low-profile tyre won't bounce as far if it's ripped from its wheel tethers. They'll come up to temperature quicker, too, so no need for tyre warmers.
There's also the comedic value that cars with oversized wheels will look like those Max Power cartoons which is, to my mind, a big plus.
But the disadvantages cannot be ignored, and for these reasons I cannot see teams or the FIA agreeing to them.
Firstly, the cars will need to be completely redesigned. The bigger wheels will affect aerodynamics, suspension and put greater strain on gearboxes. We're talking a blank sheet of paper here, the costs of which would be enormous. This, at a time when most teams, the FIA, and the world at large are banging the cost-cutting drum.
Secondly, the turbulence these bigger wheels will cause will be incredible on an open-wheel car, and at a time when we're looking at ways to reduce dirty air and improve overtaking by, for example, banning diffusers next year, to consider bigger wheels is madness.
Thirdly, I understand that in addition to these technical stipulations, Michelin also want paying for the tyres and free track signage at races. Bernie has told the teams the value of this track signage will, if the teams agree to Michelin's proposals, be deducted from the end of year TV revenue share.
Who's going to agree to that when Bridgestone, for a fee (probably not so different, overall), will carry on supplying this year's spec tyres.
And this isn't meant to sound like a criticism of Michelin, who have such a rich history in motorsport, but I think we have to question the French company's commitment when everything has to be on their terms. If they're not willing to compromise, do they really care enough?
F1 is a fantastic marketing opportunity for any tyre manufacturer and while Bridgestone feel they've got the maximum value out of it that they can, Hankook, for example, could get in on the act and raise their international profile. Obviously if they were to offer a similar-spec tyre to the current one gratis, that would be very attractive.
The trouble is that it's all happened a bit late in the day. Tyres are the single biggest performance variable, and F1 needs consistent, reliable source of rubber. Tyre development starts even earlier than the design of a new F1 car. It would have to be signed off at board-level and a whole factory would have to be readied. If Hankook were serious about coming in we'd have been getting press releases to that effect at Christmas. Instead all we get are murmurings and non-confirmations.
Kumho and Goodyear are both in financial dire straits. Continental's marketing is geared more to safety than competition. If Michelin were to come in with a Le Mans-type tyre, there's a fair chance they would be joined by Hankook and Dunlop, who also run at Le Mans. It would be very cost-effective for them.
But not for Formula One it wouldn't. And for that reason, the teams would be well advised to draw a line underneath it and re-sign with Bridgestone until another tyre manufacturer puts in a more attractive bid for their business.
Michelin has stipulated that if it is to supply tyres to teams the specifications must increase from 13 inch to 18 inch, like their low-profile sports car endurance tyres.
The advantages will be largely green: fewer tyres, lower manufacturing costs, greater longevity. Low-profile tyres will also have more in common with the tyres the audiences at home buy for their Mondeos. They're much more road-relevant, and there's potentially some development synergy there.
There will be a positive impact on safety, because a low-profile tyre won't bounce as far if it's ripped from its wheel tethers. They'll come up to temperature quicker, too, so no need for tyre warmers.
There's also the comedic value that cars with oversized wheels will look like those Max Power cartoons which is, to my mind, a big plus.
But the disadvantages cannot be ignored, and for these reasons I cannot see teams or the FIA agreeing to them.
Firstly, the cars will need to be completely redesigned. The bigger wheels will affect aerodynamics, suspension and put greater strain on gearboxes. We're talking a blank sheet of paper here, the costs of which would be enormous. This, at a time when most teams, the FIA, and the world at large are banging the cost-cutting drum.
Secondly, the turbulence these bigger wheels will cause will be incredible on an open-wheel car, and at a time when we're looking at ways to reduce dirty air and improve overtaking by, for example, banning diffusers next year, to consider bigger wheels is madness.
Thirdly, I understand that in addition to these technical stipulations, Michelin also want paying for the tyres and free track signage at races. Bernie has told the teams the value of this track signage will, if the teams agree to Michelin's proposals, be deducted from the end of year TV revenue share.
Who's going to agree to that when Bridgestone, for a fee (probably not so different, overall), will carry on supplying this year's spec tyres.
And this isn't meant to sound like a criticism of Michelin, who have such a rich history in motorsport, but I think we have to question the French company's commitment when everything has to be on their terms. If they're not willing to compromise, do they really care enough?
F1 is a fantastic marketing opportunity for any tyre manufacturer and while Bridgestone feel they've got the maximum value out of it that they can, Hankook, for example, could get in on the act and raise their international profile. Obviously if they were to offer a similar-spec tyre to the current one gratis, that would be very attractive.
The trouble is that it's all happened a bit late in the day. Tyres are the single biggest performance variable, and F1 needs consistent, reliable source of rubber. Tyre development starts even earlier than the design of a new F1 car. It would have to be signed off at board-level and a whole factory would have to be readied. If Hankook were serious about coming in we'd have been getting press releases to that effect at Christmas. Instead all we get are murmurings and non-confirmations.
Kumho and Goodyear are both in financial dire straits. Continental's marketing is geared more to safety than competition. If Michelin were to come in with a Le Mans-type tyre, there's a fair chance they would be joined by Hankook and Dunlop, who also run at Le Mans. It would be very cost-effective for them.
But not for Formula One it wouldn't. And for that reason, the teams would be well advised to draw a line underneath it and re-sign with Bridgestone until another tyre manufacturer puts in a more attractive bid for their business.
Good article Adam, though as far as I was aware Bridgestone are pulling out whether the teams want them to re-sign or not.
Because of this, Michelin's in a very strong bargaining position, hence all these heavy caveats and requirements should they make a return - there's no real viable alternative supplier.
Hi Rich - no Bridgestone have put an offer on the table and they're confident the teams will agree to it. They're happy to stay in F1 provided all their costs are covered.
Thanks for that Adam. I was under the impression the Bridgestone board in Japan felt there was no further adequate return on investment in remaining in the sport, a position held until early this month anyway. Has something changed recently to 180 their stance that you know of being on the inside of the paddock?
Do you know if their offer on the table contingent on there being another supplier in the sport?
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