Photo Credit: Toyota Racing
Many of the drivers have been vocal in recent years of their frustration with Pirelli and how they can’t push the tyres for long during a race. Drivers have been urging Pirelli for years to produce a tyre that is less sensitive to overheating when pushed hard or trying to overtake.
It’s been a controversial enough period for Pirelli over the last 12 years. As well as general criticism mentioned above, tyre failures and tyre changes during the season have occured under their most recent spell in the sport. Pirelli tyre failures have also been happening in WRC in more recent times.
The drivers are aware of Bridgestone’s bid and some are supportive of the idea of it being F1’s new supplier as a result of frustrations with Pirelli. Insiders say Bridgestone has pledged as part of its bid that it can produce a tyre on which drivers can push harder for longer.
There are only 3 drivers on the current grid who have used the Bridgestone tyres, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Nico Hülkenberg. They used them from 2007 to 2010, after which the company pulled out of F1.
The counter argument to Bridgestone joining is will they be any better than the Italian supplier Pirelli. One may also say that Pirelli were given the task to have tyres that degraded more to spice up the racing. Ironically that was requested following a cracking Canadian Grand Prix in 2010 when the softest Bridgestone tyre fell away very quickly during the race.
When Bridgestone were last in Formula 1 the cars were considerably lighter at approximately 200kg less and produced a lot less down force. With the extreme demands of modern Formula 1 cars one needs to be careful what they wish for.
The question must be asked, why does Bridgestone want this head ache of supplying Formula 1 and potentially get criticised heavily by Formula 1 drivers if they are not to their liking?
It’s been said that Bridgestone are encouraged by F1’s recent resurgence in the US market and want to explore this market more. Bridgestone already supplies the tyres to the US-based IndyCar series under its Firestone brand. The drivers over there are very happy with them.
Bids from both Pirelli and Bridgestone have been received by the FIA. The governing body is conducting a technical assessment, which is likely to conclude in the next few weeks before the companies enter commercial discussions with F1, which could take a few months.
A Bridgestone spokesperson told the BBC: “Bridgestone has a 60-year heritage in motorsports and we are a partner in many motorsport events. We will continue to advance and refine our technologies through top-level races around the globe that require top-level tyre performance. F1 is considered as one of the various options.”
Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso spoke recently about Pirelli saying: “The tyres still get overheated quite heavily if you follow cars. You need to decide wisely when you want to be too close to a car in front of you, so that’s the problem.”
Pirelli motorsport director Mario Isola told BBC Sport: “We just got the confirmation from the FIA that we are approved as a bidder and we can start the negotiations with F1.
“It is not a secret we want to continue. We want to continue to supply a tyre that is in line with the expectations of all the stakeholders.Sometimes it is difficult to agree with everybody because they have different positions. Drivers want one kind of tyre, F1 a different one. But in the past it was the same and we had many discussions with all the stakeholders to find the best compromise for the sport. I believe we have the same interests as the FIA and F1.
“I believe that especially with the 18-inch tyres we have delivered a good product, the drivers are happy. OK, sometimes there are complaints, but this is normal when you are a sole supplier,” concluded Isola.
