Pirelli will take Bridgestone's place after 2010

[BreezyRacer]

Well, this is especially bad. F1's marketing clout just isn't strong enough for even someone like Bridgestone, the eminent worldwide high perf tire mfr.

I'm guessing this will simmer and there will be a new deal with money going to Bridgestone from the teams, in the form of higher tire prices. I don't see any other company with big enough shoes to fill this gap, except for Michelin, and that company has a long history of flighty involvement in racing.

Bridgestone already has infrastructure in place. They are the logical ones to choose. Bernie is going to have to readjust his "rape and pillage" method of F1 sponsorship deals.

[Jersey Tom]

I'm guessing this will simmer and there will be a new deal with money going to Bridgestone from the teams, in the form of higher tire prices. I don't see any other company with big enough shoes to fill this gap, except for Michelin

How do you figure this? I can think of a couple companies that could step in...

[BreezyRacer]

I'm guessing this will simmer and there will be a new deal with money going to Bridgestone from the teams, in the form of higher tire prices. I don't see any other company with big enough shoes to fill this gap, except for Michelin

How do you figure this? I can think of a couple companies that could step in...

Name away, just leave Michelin out of the list, and if you think Goodyear is technically advanced enough, just look at the tire woes they have in NASCAR. It takes a lot of infrastructure to do what Bridgestone has been doing, and also a worldwide market base to benefit from F1 involvement.

[RacingManiac]

Goodyear did the sole F1 supplier thing for a while before BS step in. I'd think they can still do it.....NASCAR has its own problem of heavy car, oval track, and strangely non-scientific way of working on stuff like tires(not the teams, but the way the governing body limits the scope of R&D). I think put any company in their shoe the problem would've been the same...

[Grant25]

I would like to see a return for Goodyear.

[BreezyRacer]

Goodyear did the sole F1 supplier thing for a while before BS step in. I'd think they can still do it.....NASCAR has its own problem of heavy car, oval track, and strangely non-scientific way of working on stuff like tires(not the teams, but the way the governing body limits the scope of R&D). I think put any company in their shoe the problem would've been the same...

Ha ha. Goodyear is clueless. Just check out the NASCAR Indy race in 2008. They had been to that track for many years, knew the issues, and still made tires that required mandatory pit stops every 10 laps or so. That's the most extreme example of their incompetence, but it's not as isolated incident as you would think. Then consider their quality control .. how often do you hear NASCAR racers complain about a bad set of tires? All the time.

Lastly consider this .. how will/can Goodyear benefit from the global marketing they would be exposed to thru F1 and how much would it cost them to create that effort? They are getting all the racing related marketing they want right now via NASCAR.

[sticky667]

i think Jersey Tom knows a thing or two working for a tire manufacturer.

I've heard Kumho but what about Hoosier?

[Jersey Tom]

Goodyear did the sole F1 supplier thing for a while before BS step in. I'd think they can still do it.....NASCAR has its own problem of heavy car, oval track, and strangely non-scientific way of working on stuff like tires(not the teams, but the way the governing body limits the scope of R&D). I think put any company in their shoe the problem would've been the same...

Ha ha. Goodyear is clueless.

Someone's clueless.. that's for sure.

[roost89]

How about Dunlop? I have a feeling they may be too small

Why wouldn't they allow alot of different manufacturers in? It'd allow the smaller tyre companies to get a look in and provide enough for everyone.

[Jersey Tom]

Mickey Thompson.

[czt]

Kumho - Probability, they're big in rallying...

Whether they have the expertise or logistics is another matter.


Avon?

My money is on Kumho.

They've been expanding their motorsport operations steadily over the last few years, and have so much more to gain marketing-wise than the traditional premium tyre companies such as Michelin, Goodyear etc.

Don't forget that there will also be a grandprix in Korea soon, which ties in nicely.

[Jersey Tom]

I highly doubt Kumho could do it.

[noname]

I highly doubt Kumho could do it.

Bridgeston is leaving, Goodyear, Dunlop, Avon and Pirreli may be busy somewhere else, Michelin... they may want to stay to their word (but crisis could be a good reason to change your mind).

maybe it will not be Kumho but I would not be surprised if some company from the east would step in. Korea, China ore even India. they are more and more exposed in many areas and they have the money, in contrary to white-men world.

[Richard]

how will/can Goodyear benefit from the global marketing they would be exposed to thru F1 and how much would it cost them to create that effort? They are getting all the racing related marketing they want right now via NASCAR.

err... NASCAR probably doesn't even register in Europe compared to WRC, F1, Le Mans or touring cars. Not sure about global reach. What's the NASCAR presence in Asia?

Personally, I can't imagine a Bernie being able to extract the same cash from the next supplier.

The Bridgestone statement sounds very definite, I doubt they are doing it as a negotiating position.

[Confused_Andy]

Article from 2004: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_k ... _n8636581/

I wonder how that mindset has changed since then, maybe this is their golden opportunity.