F1 to copy Champ Car idea
We read through of the 2007 Sporting Regulations for Formula One under the section concerning supply of tires, and specifically clause 77, entitled ‘Use of Tires’:
77) Use of tires
a) Each team will be allocated eight sets of dry-weather tires, four of each specification, for use during P1 and P2. These are the only dry-weather tires which may be used during these sessions and must be returned to the tire supplier before the start of P3.
b) Each driver will be allocated ten further sets of dry-weather tires, five of each specification, for use during the remainder of the Event. However, one set of each specification must be returned to the tire supplier before the start of the qualifying practice session and may not be used during the remainder of the Event.
c) Prior to the start of the qualifying practice session wet and extreme-weather tires may only be used after the track has been declared wet by the race director, following which extreme, wet or dry weather tires may be used for the remainder of the session.
d) Unless he has used wet or extreme-weather tires during the race, each driver must use at least one set of each specification of dry-weather tires during the race.
The above, particularly section ‘d’, implies that, in the event of two compounds being supplied to the teams by Bridgestone, the team will be obliged to use both compounds in a dry race.
12/05/06 Speaking to autosport.com about the proposed softer red-tire rules for 2007, Bridgestone's technical manager Hisao Suganuma said: "Everybody asks me this, but we have not decided yet. We are going to speak with the FIA.
"For example if the FIA decided to mark different colors, we will consider as we are happy to cooperate. To me it is a big matter for us if it makes F1 more interesting."
Suganuma warned, however, that there would be complications in producing red sidewalled tires – because of the different requirements of tires at each track.
"Taking account of the production of such tires, we need to think," he explained. "For example, in Champ Car softer tires have the red mark on the sidewall.
"Maybe we would have some difficulty because the softer tire on a circuit may be the harder tire on another circuit, which means we need to have all the different specifications in double colors – one with a standard sidewall and the other with a colored sidewall.
"That makes it more difficult. If we need to do that we should think about the best way to do it.
"Personally in theory we can do it, but it is the discussion between the FIA and the Bridgestone teams. If F1 requires us to consider it we will co-operate."
09/15/06 According to rumors out of Monza, F1 will copy Champ Car in 2007 and use a softer option tire on race weekends. For the race each driver will have to use at least one set of hard rubber and one soft at least once. In Champ Car this system often produces some interesting races because the performance of the two compounds is very often completely different and the soft rubber goes off faster. Like in Champ Car, it's then a game of strategy. Similar to Champ Car, fans will be able to identify which tire the drivers are using by the red sidewalls