Mclaren back to Bridgestone?

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

The newest rumour is that Mclaren may be switching back to Bridgestone for next season as Michelin hasnt lived up to the expectations that Mclaren had. I wouldnt be too surprised to see it happen.

[nichosnz 0]

Not what I expected, but that has to be good for Williams. Williams and McLaren can stop pulling Michelin in two different directions.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

They have said for a long time that the Michelin tyre better suits Williams, but its still not easy to switch back to Bridgestone. As I said I wouldnt be surprised if it happened though.

[nichosnz 0]

I would expect switching back to Bridgesone should be easier that switching to Michelin was. At least they have some data, most would be obsolete, but they would have some that was useful.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Bridgestone may have advanced so far though that 2001 data for Mclaren may be obsolete.

[nichosnz 0]

Most certainly will, but I would be suprised if it all was.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Of course it can't all be obsolete, but the construction may be very different from 12 months ago.

[nichosnz 0]

Thats what I'm saying.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Yea, I dont know if its worth the trouble though. Michelin can and probably will get better.

[nichosnz 0]

I just read this morning that Williams and McLaren are going to work together to move Michelin in the same direction rather than two different directions. It's about time, but didn't they say that at the beginning of the year.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Very true very true, they should have started this much earlier than this stage in the season.

[nichosnz 0]

Say one thing do another, why not, companies in every other industry in the world do it.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

And working together can only help.

[nichosnz 0]

You would think so at least.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Well, at Jerez 97 Mclaren and Williams worked together to humiliate Ferrari after what Schumi tried to pull.

[Susan 0]

The premise that McLaren changing to Bridgestone would stop Michelin being pulled two ways is bogus - you may as well say McLaren going to Bridgestone will pull them two ways because they have Ferrari on board as well.

By the way - however much you loved Mika, it appears he isn't going to make a miraculous comeback, and Kimi is a dud. Despite good qualifying - "oh he can drive well for a couple of laps - 9! DNF's for the season is pathetic. Don't be so 'one-eyed'. Maybe go DC would show more support for the team, after all DC has 37 points, is doing much better for McLaren - and is not being cossetted by Mika lovers.

GO McLaren!!!

[nichosnz 0]

I don't feel Kimi is a dud, most of those DNF's have been down to reliability issues with the McLaren, and if DC is so great why hasn't he ever been in the title fight really, despite 8 of his 9 years being in one of the top teams.

I don't understand why you feel Williams and McLaren are not pulling Michelin 2 ways the cars clearly use their tyres completly differently.

[daz 0]

Gotta agree 100% with nichosnz here. Kimi has actually being the star of the team this season and if it wasn't for reliability issues I feel that he would most likely have being challenging for 2nd or 3rd in the championship.

Regarding the tyre issue, I feel that Mclaren are actually stuck between a rock and a hard place there. Michelin are currently trying their hardest to please two teams with cars vastly different from each other. This is obviously not working out as planned and I feel it won't be long before they start concentrating solely on one team which I feel will be Williams. Bridgestone are obviously going to keep their winning relationship with Ferrari so I wonder where that leaves Mclaren now? If I was Ron Dennis - I would be having a very long chat with Goodyear, Dunlop etc.. to try and get another tyre company into F1....

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Don't want to make you feel like we're ganging up on you Susan, but I have to say that all of Kimi's retirements this season have been mechanical failures, and every time he has been in the points. He would be challenging Montoya and Ralf in the points race without the retirements.

Bringing in another company could be good for Mclaren. It would once again get a tyre company focusing on them, as Williams and Mclaren run two very different chassis. Patrick Head has clearly focused on making the Williams car quite stiff and balanced under braking, while Newey is known to design a very aerodynamically efficient monocoque and underside of the car, while generating heaps of mechanical grip from the suspension. Mercedes are holding the team back, but hopefully they will be able to improve significantly for next year.

[nichosnz 0]

Getting a new trye company wont happen for 2003. A few years ago the FIA passed a rule stating that tyre companies had to give one years notice of entry or exit of F1. I think it was prompted by Pirelli dithering about whether to return or not.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Well its also a matter of time, because Goodyear or Dunlop, not any company, could prepare a good tyre in six months.

[nichosnz 0]

I would like to see 3 tyre companies supplying ten teams or 4 companies suppling 11 or 12 teams. 2 companies just doesn't feel right, but I suppose it is better than a monopoly.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Right now though I dont see Goodyear or Dunlop reentering F1, they are too busy with other racing.

[nichosnz 0]

Pirelli don't seem too interested comes up there is a 'yes, no, yes, no, lets go with no' response from them. What about Avon or Continental thay have done F1 in the past.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Continental I know is focused on street cars. Pirelli is putting a lot of effort into their rally program, so they wont be in F1 anytime soon.