Has Formula 1 Lost Its Attractiveness?
Posted on November 19, 2009
Filed Under Avon Tires, Bridgestone Tires, Goodyear Tires | Leave a Comment
The editor of Modern Tire Dealer magazine Bob Ulrich says that no one cares about Bridgestone’s leaving Formula 1 championship.
“So, Bridgestone stops supplying Formula 1 with its tires after 2010 season. In its announcement the company noted that it needs to “redirect resources” (i.e. millions of dollars) as it had achieved its goals in F1 – improved the recognizability of the brand and developed innovative technologies. Akron Beacon Journal wrote a small article on the issue and nothing appeared there besides that article. No shouting from F1 teams, no hot discussions at fan forums.
Even International Automobile Association FIA, Formula 1 managing body, buried the press-release in the depths of its website and the text was extremely unemotional: “Formula 1 championship will use the services of a new supplier beginning with 2011, since the Bridgestone company has announced that it will not extend its contract after the termination of its validity term.”
I had an opportunity to meet Christine Crakovyak from Bridgestone at the SEMA exhibition and find out more about the situation.
“The company must constantly assess the importance and necessity of all of its investments, as they should be implemented only at the appropriate time and for the appropriate purposes” – was the answer. The participation of Bridgestone in F1 led to the considerable improvement of the brand recognizability (especially in Europe), new contracts in the Original Equipment sector (with Aston Martin, for example), and modernization of the tires’ design and manufacturing process.
“It was an excellent cooperation, - she continued. – But now it is time to move to the next level”.
Who can replace Bridgestone in Formula 1? Definitely, Michelin won’t participate. Goodyear once left the championship, and its current financial position will hardly allow them to return. Pirelli? Korean Kumho announced in 2004 that it would develop tires for F1 within three years. I’m not sure. Avon Tyres may replace Bridgestone as it supplies Formula 2…
The question is the same: who cares?”
Yokohama Remains Official Supplier Of Macau Grand Prix
Posted on November 19, 2009
Filed Under Yokohama Tires | Leave a Comment
Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. will deliver tires for the 56th Macau Grand Prix that will be held on 19 – 22th November.
Yokohama has been supplying the racing with its tires already for 27 years beginning from 1983. The tires of the Japanese company are also delivered to the final stage of the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) 2009 that is held by FIA.
The racing in Macau was first held in 1954 and is the oldest motor racing of Asia. It is held on open roads and the whole event includes F3 Macau Grand Prix, final stage of WTCC (both events have been held together since 2005, Yokohama has been delivering tires for touring cars since 2006), Motorcycle Grand Prix and other contests. The central part of the whole event is F3 Macau Grand Prix. The best F3 pilots from the whole world participate in Grand Prix and it is believed that the Grand Prix defines the best pilot of the world in this segment. Besides this numerous Formula 1 pilots have won the F3 racing. Like in last year Yokohama will deliver its ecological racing tires.
For the major WTCC racing the company has been delivering tires since 2006. The performance of the tires was highly praised by the teams what resulted in the decision about the cooperation with Yokohama till 2012. In last season the tires for wet surface became more ecological. Next year the tires for dry surface will be also improved.
According to its strategy depicted in the Medium-Range Management Plan: Grand Design 100 (GD 100) the Yokohama company plans to make all its products more ecological by 2017. For this purpose the company intensified the developments of new racing tires that reduce damage to the environment.
SP Winter Response – New Tire By Dunlop
Posted on November 17, 2009
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The Dunlop company has always been popular among the most choosy drivers. New SP Winter Response tire has been designed exclusively for this consumer segment.
Asymmetric tread pattern divided into three functional areas ensures not only exceptional driving performance but also the highest hydroplaning resistance level thanks to derange channels that remind turbine blades. The tread was designed to minimize noise level and provide maximum driving comfort. All this makes Dunlop SP Winter Response modern, safe and reliable winter tire that is ideal for compact-class vehicles.
The main objectives of the Dunlop engineers were steering accuracy and steering response. A special technology of siping was applied to meet these objectives. As a matter of fact, two different types of sipes are used in the tread. The sipes situated at shoulder area provide outstanding driving force and extremely short braking distance. The sipes at the central area are high-amplitude and ensure optimal lateral skid.
The newest research enabled the Dunlop engineers to develop a rubber compound that preserves high elasticity even at extremely low temperatures. The tread remains elastic guaranteeing excellent traction in any weather conditions. At the same time it allows to retain ultimate braking performance without sacrificing durability and rolling resistance increase. Moreover, the improved rubber compound that is used for the manufacture of SP Winter Response facilitates decrease of rolling resistance what results in reduction of CO2 exhaust.
The steering accuracy blended with high comfort level is gained through the special construction of the tire carcass. First time in the history of tire manufacture the nylon bands at the shoulder area are situated more densely than at the center of the tread. This allowed to stabilize the tire’s shoulders and ensure elasticity at the central area.
Dunlop SP Winter Response is ideal for city conditions and is not afraid of snow, ice and water.
Uncertain Future Of Formula 1
Posted on November 16, 2009
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According to the reactions of tire manufacturers no one of them is interested in the costly partnership with the Formula 1 championship what has put its future in doubt.
Pirelli, Michelin and Goodyear practically at once renounced their participation and noted that they don’t have an intention to manufacture racing slicks for Formula 1. Later there appeared rumors that Kumho or Hankook would be the official suppliers of the championship.
Toyota and Renault followed the example of Honda and BMW and announced their leaving the championship (Toyota will leave after 2010). Taking into consideration the fact that Brawn GP, the winner of this season, is experiencing serious financial difficulties after losing the support of Honda and Virgin, the leaving of four major manufacturers means that Mercedes-McLaren and Ferrari will be the only large-scale participants.
Of course, global economic recession has played its role in the depreciation of the F1 status but there are other reasons contributing to this. The behavior of Max Mosley, former FIA head, whose sexual weaknesses were actively discussed in the media, and Bernie Ecclestone who evidently tried to replenish his bank accounts, make the championship less attractive for the manufacturers who may have had the willingness to participate in it.
In spite of all this four new teams are likely to participate in the following season. One of the teams will be American. The manufacturers from the USA haven’t participated in the racing series for many years. They all will use Bridgestone tires but other tire companies don’t rush to replace the Japanese (taking into account the cost of necessary research, testing etc). Probably the teams will have to call Tire Rack…
