Quote Originally Posted by skc
Daniel is correct.

Why are tyres subject to such draconian restrictions? I can understand why there ios a standard ECU (To stop all teams cheating basically!!) but with tyres, they should just say a size and let each team work with which supplier they want.

If we also allow different compounds between front and back tyres, I think we could slash the amount of required Aero and keep the same speeds.
On the other hand... competition is much closer now. In the days of tyre wars, there were often seasons where if you weren't on the preferred tyre, then you had no chance. Or even if you were on the preferred tyre, but that manufacturer was focusing their development around another team. Control tyres remove a variable from the mix and create a more level playing field. Whether that's a good thing is open to debate of course.
I'm sure it reduces costs substantially as well, which I suspect is the main reason why most high-profile race series have moved to control tyre regulations.