First Among Equals

[ArrowsFA1]

Or maybe not. It seems that Bridgestone have varied their deals with different teams on the 2007 grid

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/56009

The single tyre supplier regulation doesn't officially come into place until 2008 so I guess Bridgestone are within their rights to do whatever they please in 2007

[555-04Q2]

Makes sense. Bridgestone are supporting the teams that supported them for years. While I dont agree with it from a sporting point of view, I would do the same for my customers. In fact, we do that already for our loyal customers. A guy who walks off the street and wants the same deal as a customer of mine who has bought from us every month for the last 20 years is not going to get the same deal.

[Donney]

Here's to the fairness of the sport!

[555-04Q2]

There's nothing unfair about it.

[ArrowsFA1]

In a business/legal sense 555-04Q2 is absolutely right. Bridgestone have no obligation to provide the same level of service to each and every team. They do from 2008 onwards.

Due to Michelin's withdrawl they find themselves in the position of sole tyre supplier a year earlier than planned. Not their fault.

However, I also agree with 555-04Q2 in that "I dont agree with it from a sporting point of view".

[Donney]

Which is exactly my point, not that Bridgestone are not allowed to do as they please but the sport is again being altered.

[Valve Bounce]

I always supected that in F1, certain teams are more equal than others. :

[Knock-on]

If some teams have to pay, and some don't, it is going to create resentment but that's for the teams to resolve with BS.

If however, there is any discrepancy between the specs being supplied, then it will be a huge issue.

[F1boat]

Makes sense. Bridgestone are supporting the teams that supported them for years. While I dont agree with it from a sporting point of view, I would do the same for my customers. In fact, we do that already for our loyal customers. A guy who walks off the street and wants the same deal as a customer of mine who has bought from us every month for the last 20 years is not going to get the same deal.

Well said.

Funny how those who ran on Michelins didn't complain in 05 about the performance being unequal.

Why do people still believe that fairness has anything to do with Formula One? If it did, then Spyker would have the same budget as Mclaren, who would have the same budget as Ferrari who would have the same as Renault etc, etc.

Think of F1 less as a sport in a corinthian way, because there is feck all corinthian about any of the teams.

Think of F1 more as a competition, and that competition starts long before the lights go green.

This is just the latest example, but it won't be the last.