Pirelli's poor consistancy a reflection of their road tires?

[Jersey Tom]

Why did Bridgestone pull out? I'm speculating but maybe because these cheesy mandates weren't helping their image any.

I'd say it would be more of... being absolutely outrageously expensive to support, for what you get out of it from a marketing standpoint.

Bridgestone/Firestone (BSFS) out of F1 and out of Indy Car, and are pretty obviously focusing their marketing money elsewhere. Superbowl halftime show, golfing... other sports.

[strad]

="Jersey Tom"]Except the level of wear and give-up in these tires, at least in the initial testing, was dramatically more than I believe they were intending. There's a difference between "Let's have some tires that give-up some over the race to put emphasis on pit strategy and tire management" and "Let's have tires that shred to hell and lose all their grip over a handful of laps.".............

For once we agree...I'll have to mark it on the calendar.

[ringo]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2-ToHXN ... re=related[/youtube]

[Jersey Tom]

Bit surprised they're using that style build machine in what's a relatively new factory.

[DaveW]

Interesting..... I had no idea tyre manufacture was an art form. Small wonder that each copy is unique....

[strad]

I don't think it reflects on their road tires, but it sure sux for racing. It really doesn't matter how many passing aids you have if you have to drive thru this minefield to try. There are marbles on the straight at Malaysia and it is clearly one lane all the way around.
I'm glad you guys like your pitstops.

[CHT]

I have been wondering what exactly is Pirelli's objective in F1.

A bunch of high degrading tyres with marbles scattered all over the track doesn't really give me a positive impression about the brand.

[gcdugas]

I have been wondering what exactly is Pirelli's objective in F1.

A bunch of high degrading tyres with marbles scattered all over the track doesn't really give me a positive impression about the brand.

Pirelli was always out-classed by Michelin and even Goodyear. The FIA didn't let on but they were desperate for a tyre supplier. Max chased out Michelin, BMW, Toyota and Honda. Todt was happy to get Pirelli to bail him out of an embarrassing situation where they had no supplier. Pirelli tyres suck and with no competitors in F1 they aren't likely to improve or learn anything. I can't think of any formula or series where Pirelli have squarely beaten their adversaries.

So in sum we have this... Pirelli have sucked in the past, they suck in the present and they will suck in the future. Thanks a lot Max for driving Michelin from the sport.

[Dragonfly]

I accept more or less the deliberate production of tires which wear out more quickly. But isn't it possible to design a compound which produces smaller sized marbles, not to say chunks?
In contrast to previous years now the racing line is seen as the brighter part of the track as less rubber is rubbed in the tarmac and the sides are densely covered with large rubber pieces.
Although the TV quality was poorer and there was no internet back in the old days with Goodyear tires, I don't remember seeing so much marbles not only at the corners, but on the straights also.

[raymondu999]

I don't know if this has been mentioned, but while we're on the subject of marbles, Di Resta says that the marble situation is so bad that drivers' hands get bombarded by the marbles from tyres http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/2572 ... -my-hands/

[Sayshina]

Pirelli was always out-classed by Michelin and even Goodyear. The FIA didn't let on but they were desperate for a tyre supplier... Pirelli tyres suck and with no competitors in F1 they aren't likely to improve or learn anything. I can't think of any formula or series where Pirelli have squarely beaten their adversaries...

Making comparisons to what happened decades ago and assuming they have bearing on what might happen tomorrow is somewhat foolish.

Pirelli have done exactly this in WSB, and the last time competitors raced against these "spec" tires they learned that no competition did NOT stop Pirelli from developing their brand. Pirelli did in fact squarely beat their adversaries. Just saying...