Hard tires will be mandated to slow F1 cars

The FIA, motorsport's governing body, yesterday ordered formula one teams to propose methods of slowing their cars down in 2007. Worries about safety were voiced earlier this season when a number of drivers, including the world champion Fernando Alonso and Jacques Villeneuve, said they were concerned about rising cornering speeds.

Juan Pablo Montoya said he was particularly worried that Copse corner at Silverstone was negotiated almost 20mph quicker during this year's British grand prix.

There is talk about an engine freeze a year earlier and other expensive changes to slow the cars. However, in the end the easiest, least costly way to slow speeds is to have Bridgestone supply a hard control tire next year. Cornering speeds will decrease significantly, and braking zones will increase. If they also add 100 pounds to the weight of the cars that will also slow the cornering speeds and increase the braking distances.