Let`s Grade the Options
And while most of the motorsport world`s F1 attention has been focused on whether Renault will remain in (yes it will) and if Michael Schumacher will suit up again (apparently he will), no one is addressing the 800-pound gorilla in the room: How can you run a race series without tires?
Apparently ignoring the problem means it just doesn`t exist. But given the amount of time any tiremaker would need to develop proper rubber for high-torque F1 racers, someone needs to start soon. Like now.
So where do we stand with the world`s tiremakers? It depends on whether you believe their public statements or not. Here is what they have said, and here is what Conventional Wisdom thinks:
Bridgestone: Says it`s out after 2010 season. CW: The Bridgestone brand is out. Firestone? Already on Indy cars, so the development curve isn`t that bad.
Michelin: Says it will not return. CW: Still PO`d at FIA for how it was treated during its last two years in the series, so it`s not at all likely for the Michelin brand. BFGoodrich though...
Goodyear: Says it won`t return. CW: Has its hands full with NASCAR, but it said nothing about the Dunlop brand, which has a historic F1 connection.
Yokohama: Has made no public statement. CW: Likely no.
Toyo: Has made no public statement. CW: Has other issues on its plate, so it`s not likely.
Pirelli: Says it won`t entertain the idea. CW: The idea is entertaining and intriguing, and still possible.
Continental: Silent. CW: Silence may be golden.
Hankook: No public statement either way. CW: Possible, maybe.
Kumho: No recent statement, but recall a few years ago it worked on F1-level race tires. CW: Too many other issues right now.
Is there a darkhorse candidate out there? If so, they would have to have been very, very quiet. We`ll just have to see how this all plays out. But for now, FIA is trying to figure out the best place for the deck chairs!
