Bridgestone too have decided to dump Formula1. Which tyre manufacturer will pick up the leftover pieces in Formula1? Kunal Shah ponders on the options. Time for JK / MRF to look at Formula1 as a supplier?
Err! While we thought that manufacturers were the only ones re-thinking their Formula1 commitments, Japanese manufacturer Bridgestone dropped a bomb! Yes, they decided to pull the plug too.
Bridgestone announced a surprise and much unexpected exit from Formula1. Their contract as the sole tyre supplier for F1 was up for renewal by the end of 2010 and leave aside re-bidding for the contract, they just decided to withdraw.
Their withdrawl comes as an even bigger surprise because they were being ‘paid’ by F1 teams to produce racing slicks! Yes, for a change, F1 is actually a business for few! Well the funnier part of the story starts now – following Bridgestone’s announcement, Michelin and Good Year, both tyre brands who have supplied F1 tyres in the past immediately declined their interest to fill in the vacuum.
Pirelli, who have been involved in motorsport at various levels chose to play down their interest levels too. Will this mean that F1 will have to outsource their tyre manufacturing if no brand agrees to partner? This might just be the best chance for lesser known tyres brands like Cooper, Dunlop to make a mark; but if the big fish don’t bite, I doubt if the small ones will.
Or could Indian brands just jump in and save a tyre-less Formula1? Will Indian motoring brands JK Tyre and MRF Tyres take their tyre rivalry all the way to Formula1? Watch this space for more!
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Asif Khan
said:
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... Any thoughts on the possible causes why people are ready to manufacture the tyres even when they are paid for it? |
Kunal Shah
said:
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... Well - its a little funny. Automobile and ancillary companies may be don't see the worth of being present in F1 besides the money. Like is the R&D really adding to their core business? I really doubt this, hence. |
Kunal Ghate
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... I'm certain the RnD adds technology and efficiency to their core business, just that its proving costly than it used to. Look at MotoGP, what has it managed to do.... I will feel a lot safer and confident riding my bike on Bridgestone tyres as opposed to Jay Kay tyress |
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