Formula One’s new tyre supplier

Replacing Bridgestone

Bridgestone will be withdrawing from Formula One at the end of 2010, bringing to a close their 14 year association with the sport. The Japanese company currently provides the control tyre for all F1 teams, and as yet, no replacement supplier has been confirmed for 2011. Ferrari boss, Stefano Domenicali, has indicated that teams are keen to have a new tyre supplier confirmed before the Spanish Grand Prix since the design of next year's cars is well underway and tyres are a crucial part of that process.

If Formula One Management is unable to confirm Bridgestone's replacement during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, an announcement will not be far away.

Three manufacturers have made formal bids to supply Formula One's control tyre next year - Michelin, Pirelli and Cooper-Avon.

Michelin was last involved in Grand Prix racing four years ago and left the sport when F1 introduced a control tyre. Although the French company has recent Formula One experience, and a good working relationship with a number of existing teams, their bid to supply tyres in 2011 is unlikely to be successful.

Michelin have said they're most interested in Formula One if they can compete with another tyre supplier. This may not sit well with the FIA who specifically introduced a control tyre in 2007 as part of their drive to “bring down costs, to improve safety by curbing performance and to ensure that no team would lose out by being on the 'wrong' tyres.”

Michelin is also asking for a huge sum of money along with significant trackside sponsorship as part of the supply deal. This is very different to the current arrangement with Bridgestone who actually pay Formula One Management for the right to provide tyres.

Perhaps the biggest factor working against Michelin is their push to introduce low profile tyres on 18 inch rims, essentially the same specification rubber they currently provide to the Le Mans series. The teams are opposed to this move because it will result in a complete redesign of their 2011 cars, and the FIA is also unlikely to encourage something that will drive costs upwards.

The conditions and preferences attached to Michelin's bid may result in the tyre contract being awarded to one of their competitors.

Pirelli have said they would be interested in supplying Formula One teams with tyres next year, but like Michelin they are also keen to use 18 inch rims and would prefer competition from a rival manufacturer.

Pirelli have only just completed their feasibility study and submission to Formula One Management so are not at an advanced stage of preparation. It would be remarkable if they were ready to supply tyres in time for the 2011 season, and their president, Marco Tronchetti Provera, has already noted that 2012 is more likely.

If Bernie Ecclestone approves a switch to low profile tyres for 2011, against the teams wishes, it might be possible that both Michelin and Pirelli will enter the sport next year. It's a scenario that both companies would prefer.

The third manufacturer to bid for the F1 tyre contract is Cooper-Avon, and given their commercial conditions and willingness to supply the teams with current specification 13 inch rim tyres, they could be favourites. Avon is prepared to supply tyres to the teams for a third of the price of Michelin, and since they're doing so without the need to redesign the current cars to suit the rubber, it is the option most of the teams are in favour of.

Whilst F1 would benefit from an association with a big brand such as Michelin or Pirelli, a deal with Cooper-Avon may actually be better for the sport.

A number of factors will influence Formula One Management's final decision.

One of those factors is the switch to low profile tyres, which ultimately represents the future of Formula One. Larger rims are more road relevant and would encourage more tyre manufacturers to take part in the sport. Another benefit is that a tyre company could supply the same low profile tyre construction for a number of major series (F1, Le Mans, WTCC) which is the sort of cost saving the FIA would be keen to promote. At some point it seems likely that 18 inch rims (or thereabouts) will be introduced into the sport, and with Bridgestone pulling out it would be a great time to do exactly that. The teams are opposed to the move and it would require a great deal of additional spending, but if Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA believe it is in the long term interest of the sport, they may force through a radical new tyre specification in 2011.

Another factor to consider will be possible reintroduction of a tyre war. Both Michelin and Pirelli are interested in competing against a rival manufacturer, and that preference could potentially lead to both companies being given a supply deal for 2011.

It's not impossible to think that Cooper-Avon will be given a one year deal, with Michelin and Pirelli entering together with 18 inch rims in 2012. That would give the teams the cost saving they're after for 2011, as well as time to prepare for low profile tyres, and time to build a relationship with either of the two competing manufacturers.

Change is never far away in Formula One.

Posted by Martin Porter. - Follow him on twitter @mpondaweb.

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Last Comment Posted »

• I want to see a mock up photo of F1 cars on 18 inch rims and low profile tyres! Can't quite picture it in my mind yet!!
  by Jimmy@enterF1
  [ click here to read in full ]