Michelin

[Eagle]

7 races down with only one Michelin victory so far. The BARs and Renaults have had pace on them, but Spain saw terrible wear and understeer, as did the Nurburgring. It really is 2002 all over again.

2003 saw Michelin eclipse Bridgestone in terms of tyres, they really were the better package. They resolved the graining issues of 2002, they were fast, they were quick when cold and they lasted quite well too. I can remember GPs where people wouldn't even bother changing front or rear tyres because they weren't worn at every pitstop.

2004 has seen Brigestone lift their game admirably, but Michelin almost seems to have regressed. The tyres don't last, the grip doesn't seem to be there a lot of the time. They're still quick when conditions are cold, but once the Bridgestones get up to temperature they work brilliantly. The Bridgestones aren't even going off when it gets too hot, like in Malaysia (remember the shots of how worn the tyres were there? insane stuff).

So what do you think? What's going on with the French company responsible for so many wins and so much success that is making 2004 so painful? Is it the cars, is it the tyres, are they focusing on WRC more than F1?

 

[heero 12]

Bridgestone just has the better tire right now, simple as that. Or it might be the best is using bridgestone, idk.

 

[Roo]

Ferrari are on Bridgestones, so it should be expected that they would win more often than Michelin. Although I do think that Bridgestone have raised their game this year.

 

[Eagle]

That wasn't the case last year.

 

[Mike Rotch]

It is simply a reversal of last year. Except teams using the poorer quality Michelin dont have the pace Ferrari had to make up the difference. Lasts years Ferrari + Schumi more then made up for the poorer quality Bridgstone.

This year BAR + Driver cant make up for the poor tyres performance. Sucks to be on a Michelin.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Don't forget that the qualifying time spreads are about the same as they were last year, but overall lap times are shorter by 3 - 5 seconds. It's an amazing jump.

I think Bridgestone always had the superior rubber compounds, it's just that now they have sussed out the construction. This has allowed them to leapfrog Michelin.

 

[Eagle]

Hmm, good thought Giles.

Montreal is coming up, which will be another big test of tyres, just like Spain, granted there will be more emphasis on brakes and engines. Wonder how the Michelins will hold up.

 

[Blake]

It really is 2002 all over again.

That's all too true. Alot of BAR's success was pointed at converting to Michelins but would they being doing just as well if not better if they had stayed with Bridgstone?