Stefan GP allegedly skipped its Portimao preseason testing because of lack of suitable tyres.
Apparently Bridgestone is plainly refusing to sell them, and even GP2 tyres.
It seems there's some political maneuvering going on.
Now, if Stefan GP is going as it originally planned to provide young drivers an opportunity to test F1 machinery (if it does not enter the championship) it will need rubber.
How hard it is for a tyre manufacturer to build some F1 spec tyres that will give some decent albeit non championship level performance and will not burst?
There are a number of suppliers for old spec tyres for historics, such as Avon; and someone must feed tyres to the various "try an F1 or at least a tamed thingy vaguely resembling it" operations around the world.
Is it that costly to develop a 2010 spec non competitive stand in?
Full Version: F1 tyres: how hard it is?
You get the impression that there's simply nothing in it for Bridgestone to supply tyres to Stefan. This is their last year of supplying to F1.
QUOTE (Paolo @ Feb 23 2010, 13:00) 
It seems there's some political maneuvering going on.
No doubt.
I can kind of understand that the current tyres are unadvailable to this operation as some tyre secrets MAY become advailable to favored teams.
Though since there is several different manufacturers of race tyres getting a similar spec tyre[or a older spec] from Goodyear [indy tyres] Firestone or Michelin should not be a major problem. Then there is Pirelli, Avon and Dunlop who make tyres for cars that fast though probably not the cornering loads.
Though since there is several different manufacturers of race tyres getting a similar spec tyre[or a older spec] from Goodyear [indy tyres] Firestone or Michelin should not be a major problem. Then there is Pirelli, Avon and Dunlop who make tyres for cars that fast though probably not the cornering loads.
QUOTE (Lee Nicolle @ Feb 25 2010, 22:25)
I can kind of understand that the current tyres are unadvailable to this operation as some tyre secrets MAY become advailable to favored teams.
Though since there is several different manufacturers of race tyres getting a similar spec tyre[or a older spec] from Goodyear [indy tyres] Firestone or Michelin should not be a major problem. Then there is Pirelli, Avon and Dunlop who make tyres for cars that fast though probably not the cornering loads.
Though since there is several different manufacturers of race tyres getting a similar spec tyre[or a older spec] from Goodyear [indy tyres] Firestone or Michelin should not be a major problem. Then there is Pirelli, Avon and Dunlop who make tyres for cars that fast though probably not the cornering loads.
Your proposition sounds plausible, but is not correct, I'm afraid. This is because performance comes from working tyres so that they reach and maintain operating temperatures evenly whilst, at the same time, controlling the attitude and the dynamics of the vehicle optimally (bear in mind that the suspension works in series with the tyres).
Perhaps the best example to illustrate the fact is F3, where different series run with similar vehicles, but different tyres. The different tyres require different vehicle set-ups, which is not a major issue except at Macau, where the various series meet & compete against one another. Generally, Euro series vehicles are dominant at Macau, not because Euro series teams/drivers/vehicles are superior, but simply because the Macau race is run on Euro series tyres.
The conclusion has to be that developing a vehicle around non-representative tyres would be a waste of time, effort and money.
QUOTE (DaveW @ Feb 26 2010, 06:19)
Your proposition sounds plausible, but is not correct, I'm afraid. This is because performance comes from working tyres so that they reach and maintain operating temperatures evenly whilst, at the same time, controlling the attitude and the dynamics of the vehicle optimally (bear in mind that the suspension works in series with the tyres).
Perhaps the best example to illustrate the fact is F3, where different series run with similar vehicles, but different tyres. The different tyres require different vehicle set-ups, which is not a major issue except at Macau, where the various series meet & compete against one another. Generally, Euro series vehicles are dominant at Macau, not because Euro series teams/drivers/vehicles are superior, but simply because the Macau race is run on Euro series tyres.
The conclusion has to be that developing a vehicle around non-representative tyres would be a waste of time, effort and money.
Perhaps the best example to illustrate the fact is F3, where different series run with similar vehicles, but different tyres. The different tyres require different vehicle set-ups, which is not a major issue except at Macau, where the various series meet & compete against one another. Generally, Euro series vehicles are dominant at Macau, not because Euro series teams/drivers/vehicles are superior, but simply because the Macau race is run on Euro series tyres.
The conclusion has to be that developing a vehicle around non-representative tyres would be a waste of time, effort and money.
Completely agree - good example too. Similar situation in GT2 where many tyre brands are competing. Baseline setups from manufacturers like Porsche will be based on their factory supplier, i.e. Michelin. Whereas if you buy a BMW GT4 the setup will suit the Dunlops it was developed on.
Having said all that if they want to do systems checks on software, engine and gearbox installation the tyres wouldn't be as much of an issue. I believe Minardi did some running on Avon F3000 tyres one year.
Ben
2003 I think? They may have been swtiching from Michelin to Bridgestone and hadn't sorted out the contracts in time for their shakedown.
http://www.autosport.com/gallery/photo.php/id/6680/
http://www.autosport.com/gallery/photo.php/id/6680/
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