2013 Spanish Grand Prix Thread

[dj_bytedisaster]

It's the same for everyone as the team principles keep saying.

No it isn't. If Hembery says "we could change the tires, but then people would accuse us of handing the title to RB", it is pretty clear that they designed the tire with the intention of impeding RB's performance and that's actually the second time this year he's said that. I think such meddling is simply unacceptable.

[Hawkmoon]

No it isn't. If Hembery says "we could change the tires, but then people would accuse us of handing the title to RB", it is pretty clear that they designed the tire with the intention of impeding RB's performance and that's actually the second time this year he's said that. I think such meddling is simply unacceptable.

Perhaps what Hembrey means is "we've designed tyres for everybody and we're not going to redesign them just to alleviate the problems Red Bull may be experiencing because then we'd be designing tyres just for Red Bull and people would accuse us of handing them the title". But of course, conspiracy theories are much more fun aren't they.

[dj_bytedisaster]

Perhaps what Hembrey means is "we've designed tyres for everybody and we're not going to redesign them just to alleviate the problems Red Bull may be experiencing because then we'd be designing tyres just for Red Bull and people would accuse us of handing them the title". But of course, conspiracy theories are much more fun aren't they.

F1 has always been about extracting the most downforce from the car within legal limits. Pirelli knows what sort of tire would be needed for RB to use the whole downforce they have available. Yet they deliberately design a tire that cannot withstand the forces of a RB in a corner to favour those that can't keep up with Adrian Newey - that doesn't sound like fair competition to me. I'm pretty sure Mercedes wouldn't have been humiliated that badly if Pirelli produced a tire that's actually fit for the job. Checo being told not to race at the end of the GP is not normal practice, too.

It may lead to dominance, like Williams 92-97 or Ferrari 2000-2004, but a supplier willfully sabotaging teams is not acceptable.

[henners88]

F1 has always changed the regulations from season to season too. Remember when wings had to be changed because there was too much downforce? Did we whine then because Williams and McLaren had it mastered and then it was suddenly a level playing field for everyone? All the teams were given the necessary data pre season from what Pirelli knew about the tyres, and unfortunately the likes of Mercedes and Red Bull have taken the wrong approach. I can say that being a Hamilton/Mercedes supporter. It's a bitter pill to swallow but that's the way it is. The tyres are the same for every team and its their job to adapt to the current regs, not cry about how individuals perceive should be the essence of f1.

[dj_bytedisaster]

F1 has always changed the regulations from season to season too. Remember when wings had to be changed because there was too much downforce? Did we whine then because Williams and McLaren had it mastered and then it was suddenly a level playing field for everyone? All the teams were given the necessary data pre season from what Pirelli knew about the tyres, and unfortunately the likes of Mercedes and Red Bull have taken the wrong approach. I can say that being a Hamilton/Mercedes supporter. It's a bitter pill to swallow but that's the way it is. The tyres are the same for every team and its their job to adapt to the current regs, not cry about how individuals perceive should be the essence of f1.

If the current level of tire eco-runs tickle your fancy - be welcome. I think Pirelli is about to kill F1.

[henners88]

If the current level of tire eco-runs tickle your fancy - be welcome. I think Pirelli is about to kill F1.
Its like talking to a brick wall with you as you are completely incompetent when it comes to reading and understanding what I write. I don't like the way the tyres behave and hope they are changed. How many bloody times have I said that now?! The FIA need to sort it out and instruct Pirelli, not the other way around.

[henners88]

Perhaps what Hembrey means is "we've designed tyres for everybody and we're not going to redesign them just to alleviate the problems Red Bull may be experiencing because then we'd be designing tyres just for Red Bull and people would accuse us of handing them the title". But of course, conspiracy theories are much more fun aren't they.
I think that is exactly what Hembrey was insinuating. :)

[dj_bytedisaster]

I think that is exactly what Hembrey was insinuating. :)

As it is now, Pirelli know that their tire cannot withstand the forces that a RB generates in the corner. They have two options. Build a tire that can cope with what the RB is capable of, effectively punishing most of the field for building a **** car. Such a tire would most likely favour RB, Merc and probably Ferrari, too. Or they can continue building a tire that they know hampers certain teams. One option is called common sense, the other option is called Waldorff school of non-competition.

[henners88]

This is the moment where I laugh, swig my morning coffee and be happy in the fact I'm not quite as angry as some. :)

[Hawkmoon]

F1 has always been about extracting the most downforce from the car within legal limits. Pirelli knows what sort of tire would be needed for RB to use the whole downforce they have available. Yet they deliberately design a tire that cannot withstand the forces of a RB in a corner to favour those that can't keep up with Adrian Newey - that doesn't sound like fair competition to me. I'm pretty sure Mercedes wouldn't have been humiliated that badly if Pirelli produced a tire that's actually fit for the job. Checo being told not to race at the end of the GP is not normal practice, too.

It may lead to dominance, like Williams 92-97 or Ferrari 2000-2004, but a supplier willfully sabotaging teams is not acceptable.

Pirelli were asked to design a short-life tyre with a large gap in performance between compounds to spice up the racing. They have done that so your assertions that the tyre isn't fit for the job are incorrect. Your issue lies with the FIA in requesting such a tyre, not with Pirelli in creating one.

In no way did Pirelli "deliberately" design a tyre that couldn't withstand the downforce of the Red Bull because they had no way of knowing exactly how much downforce the Red Bull was going to produce. By designing a tyre that would suit a car with a high level of downforce Pirelli would have been designing a tyre that deliberately advantaged Red Bull. Surely designing a tyre for a team is just as bad as designing a tyre against a team?

Mercedes "humiliated" themselves. They have had tyre wear issues for several years and, for whatever reason, can't seem to solve them. Perez was told not to race Button to preserve McLaren's points finish. It was a team order that would have been given regardless of the tyre situation. I do agree however that drivers weren't fighting as hard as they could in Barcelona because of tyres and it's something Pirelli should look at.

[dj_bytedisaster]

In no way did Pirelli "deliberately" design a tyre that couldn't withstand the downforce of the Red Bull because they had no way of knowing exactly how much downforce the Red Bull was going to produce. By designing a tyre that would suit a car with a high level of downforce Pirelli would have been designing a tyre that deliberately advantaged Red Bull. Surely designing a tyre for a team is just as bad as designing a tyre against a team?


Pirelli knew by the time of Malaysia that RB has more downforce than its tire can cope with. Hembery said as much in an interview. They had two options - change the tire so that RB may explolit the full potential of the car they designed or keep the tire as is knowing that they deliberately undo the efforts RB put in to design ther cars as it is. A supplier that deliberately couteracts a teams development efforts is completely unacceptable in my book.
Hembery said twice this year that they can't change the tires because RB would be too fast if they did. That's pure and simple sabotage.

[henners88]

Pirelli were asked to design a short-life tyre with a large gap in performance between compounds to spice up the racing. They have done that so your assertions that the tyre isn't fit for the job are incorrect. Your issue lies with the FIA in requesting such a tyre, not with Pirelli in creating one.

In no way did Pirelli "deliberately" design a tyre that couldn't withstand the downforce of the Red Bull because they had no way of knowing exactly how much downforce the Red Bull was going to produce. By designing a tyre that would suit a car with a high level of downforce Pirelli would have been designing a tyre that deliberately advantaged Red Bull. Surely designing a tyre for a team is just as bad as designing a tyre against a team?

Mercedes "humiliated" themselves. They have had tyre wear issues for several years and, for whatever reason, can't seem to solve them. Perez was told not to race Button to preserve McLaren's points finish. It was a team order that would have been given regardless of the tyre situation. I do agree however that drivers weren't fighting as hard as they could in Barcelona because of tyres and it's something Pirelli should look at.
Exactly. :up:

[zako85]

This was a good race. I think it has removed a lot of uncertainty about perking order of the grid. For one, it is clear that Ferrari is fast enough to take the championship battles to RedBull. Before this race I was still having my doubts about whether anyone is fast enough to catch Vettel. And by the way, if Alonso didn't retire in Malaysia, he would have been just within a few points from Vettel in standings. In fact, I think this year Ferrari may be able to challenge RedBull's constructor title as well if Massa keeps beating Webber on regular basis.

[Whyzars]

...Ferrari and Lotus make the tyres work. Mercedes obviously don't. Red Bull can get the tyres to work, just not to the same extent that Lotus can.


I don't think that tyres from a single supplier are supposed to "work", rather they are supposed to "be".

Tyres from a single supplier need to "be" exactly the same for every car otherwise the unhappy teams need to "work" with other tyre manufacturers to see if they can come up with something better.

If only one team is unhappy with the tyre of the day then it is no longer suitable for any team.


I would go for this as a compromise - make oodles of different tyre mixtures available at each and every race and a team can race on any two from the selection. At least this would give some form of control back to the people who have the most to lose.

I would be well p*ssed if my $50million investment in F1 was being trashed by a $200 lump of rubber...

[dj_bytedisaster]

The thing that describes barcelona the best are the numbers. The pole time was a 1:20.718. Fastest lap in the race was a pedestrian 1:26.216 by Esteban friggin' Gutierrez. That's SIX seconds. This wasn't a race, it was a ****ing pensioneers bus ride to Devon!!

[Hawkmoon]

Pirelli knew by the time of Malaysia that RB has more downforce than its tire can cope with. Hembery said as much in an interview. They had two options - change the tire so that RB may explolit the full potential of the car they designed or keep the tire as is knowing that they deliberately undo the efforts RB put in to design ther cars as it is. A supplier that deliberately couteracts a teams development efforts is completely unacceptable in my book.
Hembery said twice this year that they can't change the tires because RB would be too fast if they did. That's pure and simple sabotage.


I don't think that tyres from a single supplier are supposed to "work", rather they are supposed to "be".

Tyres from a single supplier need to "be" exactly the same for every car otherwise the unhappy teams need to "work" with other tyre manufacturers to see if they can come up with something better.

If only one team is unhappy with the tyre of the day then it is no longer suitable for any team.


I would go for this as a compromise - make oodles of different tyre mixtures available at each and every race and a team can race on any two from the selection. At least this would give some form of control back to the people who have the most to lose.

I would be well p*ssed if my $50million investment in F1 was being trashed by a $200 lump of rubber...

Both of you seem to be focused on the teams that are having trouble with the current tyres and ignoring the teams that are fine with them. Any attempt to appease Red Bull with negatively impact Lotus and to a slightly lesser extent Ferrari. Why should Red Bull and Mercedes have their disadvantage erased at the expense of Lotus and Ferrari? DJ, you say that Pirelli are deliberately counteracting Red Bull's development yet if they were to introduce longer lasting tyres would they not be doing the same to Lotus? Why should Red Bull have their development unfettered yet other teams have their advantage taken away?

Whyzars, I disagree that one unhappy team means that the tyre is unsuitable for all teams. The tyre is exactly the same for every team, it's just that some cars are better at using them than others. It's no different to the aero regs. They are the same for everybody yet Red Bull have managed to get more out of them than other teams. The fact that the designers at Williams can't get the same downforce out them as the designers at Red Bull doesn't mean aero regs are deficient. The deficiency lies with the Williams' design team.

[donKey jote]

The thing that describes barcelona the best are the numbers. The pole time was a 1:20.718. Fastest lap in the race was a pedestrian 1:26.216 by Esteban friggin' Gutierrez. That's SIX seconds. This wasn't a race, it was a ****ing pensioneers bus ride to Devon!!

now you see, there you might have half a point ;) :p

[The Black Knight]

Yesterdays race was one of the worst races I've witnessed in a long time. At no point in time did I ever feel excitement because the cars weren't racing they were just managing their tires. It's embarrassing to watch F1 cars limp around in such a pedestrian way. It's really beginning to leave a sour taste in my mouth over F1. I'm just glad that Pirelli have decided to tweak their tires from the British GP onward as this is an absurd situation the pinnacle of motorsport finds itself in.

[airshifter]

This is the moment where I laugh, swig my morning coffee and be happy in the fact I'm not quite as angry as some. :)

Be like Kimi, and get on with the racing instead of being mad at the tires. It's working for me too!

Be cautious with the coffee though, as caffeine and other stimulants are commonly over used by those with anger management issues!



I think yesterday was a great example of differing strategies, and Alonso proved that racing from the front is still one of the best in Spain. Kimi proved that consistent laps and a less stop strategy can work well also. It's not as if Spain usually gives us countless passes during the race.

[ShiftingGears]

I think Pirelli is about to kill F1.

pkOwO9gNn0E

[kfzmeister]

It's not as if Spain usually gives us countless passes during the race.

Yesterday there were 71 overtakes. Usually, they are measured in single digits. Lol

[LotusF1]

I was very happy to see a Ferrari/Lotus podium, and even more happy to not see Red Bull there.
I am pretty much in agreement with Hawkmoon. I haven't found the racing this year boring at all. The Schumaker years were the most boring for me.

[A FONDO]

Yesterday there were 71 overtakes. Usually, they are measured in single digits. Lol

Perhaps half of these 71 were against Merc drivers

[dj_bytedisaster]

Perhaps half of these 71 were against Merc drivers

That's a conservative guess at best.

[Don Capps]

If the current level of tire eco-runs tickle your fancy - be welcome. I think Pirelli is about to kill F1.

Correct me if I am wrong, but did not Pirelli develop the current tires per the direction and guidance from those running the F1 series?

Of course, that the F1 series has to use gimmicks such as the mandatory use of different tire compounds, DRS, and so on would seem to indicate that the knuckleheads running F1 do not need any help from Pirelli to "kill" what is already a dying sport.

I chanced upon the replay of the Spanish F1 Race and from what I saw, I was both very much underwhelmed and quite amused -- the latter because there was nothing to suggest that it was anything but a generic F1 race, there no sense of place, the cars are truly butt ugly, and as for the track, the less said the better.

[steveaki13]

Correct me if I am wrong, but did not Pirelli develop the current tires per the direction and guidance from those running the F1 series?

Of course, that the F1 series has to use gimmicks such as the mandatory use of different tire compounds, DRS, and so on would seem to indicate that the knuckleheads running F1 do not need any help from Pirelli to "kill" what is already a dying sport.

I chanced upon the replay of the Spanish F1 Race and from what I saw, I was both very much underwhelmed and quite amused -- the latter because there was nothing to suggest that it was anything but a generic F1 race, there no sense of place, the cars are truly butt ugly, and as for the track, the less said the better.

As sad as I am to say it, I must agree with your sentiments. F1 is quickly losing its soul.

I no F1 changes over the years, but I have loved my time thus far as an F1 fan and loved what I have seen from the past, however the things I have seen over the last 2 or 3 years is making me fear for F1 as a proper sport.

[kfzmeister]

Fernando Alonso
Ferrari
Ferrari
318.8 km/h


Jean-Eric Vergne
Toro Rosso
Ferrari
318.0 km/h


Sergio Perez
McLaren
Mercedes
317.6 km/h


Daniel Ricciardo
Toro Rosso
Ferrari
317.5 km/h


Jenson Button
McLaren
Mercedes
317.1 km/h


Esteban Gutierrez
Sauber
Ferrari
316.4 km/h


Paul di Resta
Force India
Mercedes
315.3 km/h


Jules Bianchi
Marussia
Cosworth
315.1 km/h


Felipe Massa
Ferrari
Ferrari
314.3 km/h


Kimi Räikkönen
Lotus
Renault
314.3 km/h


Romain Grosjean
Lotus
Renault
313.7 km/h


Pastor Maldonado
Williams
Renault
312.6 km/h


Lewis Hamilton
Mercedes
Mercedes
312.5 km/h


Valtteri Bottas
Williams
Renault
312.5 km/h


Max Chilton
Marussia
Cosworth
312.2 km/h


Nico Rosberg
Mercedes
Mercedes
312.1 km/h


Adrian Sutil
Force India
Mercedes
312.0 km/h


Nico Hülkenberg
Sauber
Ferrari
311.5 km/h


Giedo van der Garde
Caterham
Renault
311.4 km/h


Charles Pic
Caterham
Renault
310.9 km/h


Sebastian Vettel
Red Bull
Renault
306.0 km/h


Mark Webber
Red Bull
Renault
306.0 km/h


Obviously, the RBs are using the wrong set-up. Their high downforce set-up is clearly eating tires. I mean, look at these numbers. Dead last in top-speed down the straight!!

[kfzmeister]

Here's another interesting fact:

Alonso's total race time was only 7 seconds slower than Pastor's last year. And Pastor made only three stops!

[dj_bytedisaster]

Here's another interesting fact:

Alonso's total race time was only 7 seconds slower than Pastor's last year. And Pastor made only three stops!

Still doesnt change the fact that the "fastest" lap in the race was a massive 5.5 seconds slower than qualifying. In F1 terms, that's a week.

[zako85]

Still doesnt change the fact that the "fastest" lap in the race was a massive 5.5 seconds slower than qualifying. In F1 terms, that's a week.

The difference doesn't seem massive to me.

2011 fastest Q3 lap was 1:20.981
2011 fastest race lap was 1:26.727

2013 fastest Q3 lap was 1:20.718
2013 fastest race lap was 1:26.217

One issue is that on the last laps, most cars in most races are running with considerably worn out tires. Another issue is that quite often the finishing order is well sorted by the time of the last few laps. Pilots often get orders to hold the positions and bring it home. You don't always with a reason to deliver qualifying style laps at the end of race. One exception was in China when Vettel was trying to chase down Hamilton for P3 finish. That time, the fastest lap was only under 2.5 seconds slower than qualifying lap.

[dj_bytedisaster]

The diff was about 4 seconds in 2012, 2010 and 2 seconds in 2009 and -0.2 sec in 2008. I think a race where cars dawdle about 6 seconds slower than in qualifying is thoroughly ****ed up to begin with. If you have drivers complaining that they can't drive any slower and still burn up the tires, something is seriously wrong. We didn't see a race. We saw a bloody eco-run and that isn't what F1 should be. Eco-runs are for lentil eating lesbians in G-Wizzes, not the best motor car drivers in the world.

[henners88]

Whether it was perceived as an eco run or not, a driver still has to complete the set number of laps in the fastest time possible and cross the line in first place. Its down to the team to manage what they have at their disposal and get the job done faster than their opponents. On Sunday it was Alonso and Ferrari who performed the best and deserved the victory as much as any driver in any other year IMO. If I wasn't a Hamilton fan I would be accused of fanboyism for saying such things but it was indeed a race. We are stuck with the way things are this year and the teams need to try and make the best of the situation. On to the next GP I say and lets at least try to enjoy it, even if my driver finds himself going backwards through the field, harder at Monaco one would hope. :)

[dj_bytedisaster]

We are stuck with the way things are this year and the teams need to try and make the best of the situation.

Doesn't mean we have to accept or like it...

[henners88]

Doesn't mean we have to accept or like it...
I didn't say we did. On the other hand we can be a little more dignified about it. Turning every thread into an anti Pirelli thread is becoming even more boring than the racing on Sunday IMO. Are there any positives we can draw from the performances of some of the best drivers and teams in the world? Come on now, we are still witnessing an event and someone will be World Champion at the end. Lets at least try and enjoy some aspect it it rather than trying to earn ourselves unnecessary reputations on a forum.

[pino]

Wise words henners88 :up:

[kfzmeister]

Come on now, we are still witnessing an event and someone will be World Champion at the end.

Yes. I'm feeling a little tingly about whom that might be. :D

[henners88]

Yes. I'm feeling a little tingly about whom that might be. :D
Its still a long long way off yet but for me if Lewis and Mercedes can't make the leap forward from where they are now, I'd like to see Fernando do it this year. Alonso was once my favourite driver and I cheered him to his first two titles with the same enthusiasm I cheer now for Hamilton. Even still have the Renault Mild Seven team shirt he signed for me packed away in the top of the wardrobe. Both drivers also have a huge amount of respect for each other and judging by how Fernando has been driving for the past 25 races, he'll deserve the Championship IMO. Another driver I would love to see win this year would be Kimi. I don't think this year is going to be so bad for me even if Mercedes don't get their act together and learn to understand the car. Formula one is still enjoyable. :)

[Ranger]

Correct me if I am wrong, but did not Pirelli develop the current tires per the direction and guidance from those running the F1 series?

Of course, that the F1 series has to use gimmicks such as the mandatory use of different tire compounds, DRS, and so on would seem to indicate that the knuckleheads running F1 do not need any help from Pirelli to "kill" what is already a dying sport.

I chanced upon the replay of the Spanish F1 Race and from what I saw, I was both very much underwhelmed and quite amused -- the latter because there was nothing to suggest that it was anything but a generic F1 race, there no sense of place, the cars are truly butt ugly, and as for the track, the less said the better.

Ugly or not, getting every driver in a Grand Prix car from 1967 and letting them race at the Nordschleife is not going to happen. :\ (Although some in 1967 would no doubt have been yearning for the front-engined Grand Prix cars of yesteryear)

Formula 1 at the moment is not perfect. But would everyone prefer that every car finish the race on Sunday in the order they started, with no overtaking?

In the 2006 or 2007 race, someone counted the number of overtakes at Barcelona for the entire race apart from the start. The number was 7. They were mostly back-markers passing each other after rookie mistakes.

These gimmicks are added so that the sport isn't full of boring processions, of which there has been many in the last 15 years.

Sometimes it goes too far. But by and large, the combination of DRS, tyres and KERS has worked.

Here's a reason why.

Formula One Overtaking Database | Clip The Apex (http://cliptheapex.com/overtaking/)

[kfzmeister]

Since the RB9 is too hard on its tires, they are trying Seb in the Twizy for Monaco. Apparently, his chances for the race are very good.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BKOakQLCMAA18vu.jpg:large

[LotusF1]

Pirelli announced today they will change the tires for the Canadian Grand Prix to attempt to fix the excessive degradation. I read it at Racer magazine's website.

[Wasted Talent]

Ugly or not, getting every driver in a Grand Prix car from 1967 and letting them race at the Nordschleife is not going to happen. :\ (Although some in 1967 would no doubt have been yearning for the front-engined Grand Prix cars of yesteryear)

Formula 1 at the moment is not perfect. But would everyone prefer that every car finish the race on Sunday in the order they started, with no overtaking?

In the 2006 or 2007 race, someone counted the number of overtakes at Barcelona for the entire race apart from the start. The number was 7. They were mostly back-markers passing each other after rookie mistakes.

These gimmicks are added so that the sport isn't full of boring processions, of which there has been many in the last 15 years.

Sometimes it goes too far. But by and large, the combination of DRS, tyres and KERS has worked.



Agreed 100%.

Interesting to listen to Rob Smedley after Sunday's race. It is challenging for the whole team now, and a few years ago the race was over on Saturday....

WT

[zako85]

To me this is rather disappointing that tires are being redesigned mid-season. The only thing that's more annoying than tires designed for great show is fresh tire design that behaves in the way teams do not understand. Some of early 2012/2013 races were irritating to watch because many teams had no idea how the tires work. By now at least teams must understand how current tires work. They just need to adjust the car to make the best use of these tires, however lousy they are. Changing the tire design mid-season introduces "tire lottery" again IMHO.

[steveaki13]

Doesn't mean we have to accept or like it...

Henners didnt say you did, but to enjoy what you can of these next races and hope the situation improves.

[steveaki13]

As for Monaco, I think we could see some crazy action. I no tyre wear is different at Monte Carlo, but If Mercedes qualify at the front and slow down as they have done this season we could have some major bunching up of the field.

[dj_bytedisaster]

To me this is rather disappointing that tires are being redesigned mid-season. The only thing that's more annoying than tires designed for great show is fresh tire design that behaves in the way teams do not understand. Some of early 2012/2013 races were irritating to watch because many teams had no idea how the tires work. By now at least teams must understand how current tires work. They just need to adjust the car to make the best use of these tires, however lousy they are. Changing the tire design mid-season introduces "tire lottery" again IMHO.

It is needed though. Pirelli was asked to deliver tires with certain characteristics. According to the dwarf hard tires were supposed to last half a race. I suppose what they wanted were races like last year, with the front runners doing 2 or three stops with the odd car here or there trying a one-stopper, like Sauber did several times last year. What we got though are tires, who don't last even 15 laps and even though cars were running around at half throttle had to change tires 4 times and the Pirelli's have developed a habit of disintegrating for no reason. It has become obvious that the current tires are not fit for their intended use, so Pirelli has to make some which are.
The problem doesn't lie only with Pirelli though. FIA is just as much to blame. The current tire was developed using a three year old car that is massively slower than the 2013 cars. On top of that it is supplied by a current competitor and quite surprisingly that is the only competitor that consistently manages to run one stop less than the competition. What should have been done is using that 3 week break before Barcelona to schedule two or three test days open for any team that wants to take part. That would give Pirelli enough data to develop tires that don't embarrass them and no team would gain an unfair advantage.
I suppose it sucks to be Lotus right now. They developed their car to match the general characteristics of the 2010 car, meaning that the current comedy tires are almost tailor made for their car. That they don't want the tires to change is only natural. Who would voluntarily give up a competitive advantage? But as it is now, half the teams have their development work completely negated by tires that can't keep up with the downforces generated by the cars. RB, Mercedes and McLaren are hit the hardest. We've had four races this year in which drivers were told to go deliberately slow. For F1 that's a PR disaster and a redesign of the tires is only logical.

[A FONDO]

To me this is rather disappointing that tires are being redesigned mid-season. The only thing that's more annoying than tires designed for great show is fresh tire design that behaves in the way teams do not understand. Some of early 2012/2013 races were irritating to watch because many teams had no idea how the tires work. By now at least teams must understand how current tires work. They just need to adjust the car to make the best use of these tires, however lousy they are. Changing the tire design mid-season introduces "tire lottery" again IMHO.

What annoys me more is that it is made mainly because one particular team moans about it. I thought F1 has stopped serving the leaders :(

[dj_bytedisaster]

What annoys me more is that it is made mainly because one particular team moans about it. I thought F1 has stopped serving the leaders :(

Red Bull have moaned. Mercedes have moaned and even Alonso has said after his win that the current tires are ridiculous. Add to that that even Ecclestone has come forward and said that the 2013 tires are wrong and don't match the characteristics that were asked for. So this redesign is far from only a service to Red Bull.
I would go as far as suspecting that Bernie doesn't give a rats arse about RB. He's thinking of his own wallet and that is in danger of being hit hard if people get anymore frustrated with the endless eco-runs we've seen this year.

[wedge]

Come on now, we are still witnessing an event and someone will be World Champion at the end. Lets at least try and enjoy some aspect it it rather than trying to earn ourselves unnecessary reputations on a forum.

Jeez, you can make the same excuse with shortcuts and water sprinklers.




Sent by a miserable c**** who wants to bring the forum down to his level.