The World Motorsport Council on Wednesday confirmed Bridgestone, a Japanese company with a British name, as the sole tire supplier for Formula 1 racing from 2008 to 2010.


For the first time, the world Grand Prix racing series moves away from a competitive environment among tire suppliers. Currently, Bridgestone and Michelin are active in F1 racing.


The drive to outperform the competition played a role in the 2005 U.S. Grand Prix debacle, in which Michelin tires proved to be faulty in pre-race activities. That led to the last-minute withdrawal of 14 of the 20 cars entered in that race, a public relations disaster for F1.


Another factor is that greater traction has contributed to an increase in cornering speeds of F1 cars. The WMC on Wednesday pledged to work with the Formula 1 Technical Working Group on innovations that might slow the cars, for improved safety and to enhance overtaking capabilities for better entertainment.


Most of the world's top racing series have adopted "spec" tire rules, including NASCAR (Goodyear), the Indy Racing League (Firestone), a prominent American brand now owned by Bridgestone, and Champ Car (Bridgestone) in the United States.

Follow up:

Michelin officials did not pursue the F1 contract, stating that the French company prefers competition.


What it means to you: "Tire wars" in recent history have pushed development to the limit, sometimes putting drivers in jeopardy. A spec tire eliminates one more variable that might make competition unequal.


Source: Inside Line


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