BAR request Michelins

Just as I was about to post a thread saying I had a feeling that BAR would want to switch, even with Sato driving for them, from Bridgestone to Michelin. And obviously, Micheling have to agree with that as they are requred to be able and willing to supply at least 60% of the grid. Thoughts?

Not a huge surprise really, and another blow to Bridgestone

Bridgestone won't care, saves them bothering with another non-prefered partner and lets them concentrate even more on the only team they are interested in.

Not quite. Here's what Bridgestone had to say yesterday. Don't underestimate the importance of a Japanese driver, with a Japanese engine behind him (though I cannot really comment on the relationship between Honda and Bridgestone, but BAR wouldn't have made the decision without consulting with Honda):

Hisao Suganuma, Technical Manager of Bridgestone Motorsport, said: 'No provisional pole for Michael today but I expect him to show his true performance tomorrow. He suffered a little having to run first on track but there's still plenty of performance to come from our tyres yet so I'm fairly confident for final qualifying. Both Sauber drivers and B.A.R Honda's Takuma Sato did a good job also and I'll be expecting to see more from them tomorrow. The track was quite green this morning and although this resulted in a little graining, I don't expect this to be a major factor this weekend. Aside from that, our teams had a productive morning as they started their tyre evaluation.'

And here is what Bridgestone had to say about the matter after the BAR request was made public (link (http://www.pitpass.com/news2/news.cfm?newsid=7745)):


Bridgestone today issued the following statement with regards BAR's request to switch to Michelin rubber in 2004:
Bridgestone Motorsport can confirm that the BAR team has requested that it be released from its contract with Bridgestone for the supply of Formula One tyres in the FIA Formula One World Championship.

Although this contract is not due to expire until the end of 2004, Bridgestone is investigating the legal implications of this request. The technological benefits of the continuation of a working relationship with B.A.R in 2004 are also being assessed.

With regards to this weekend, the final round of the 2003 championship, Bridgestone will of course respect its current contractual obligations and provide its best efforts and professional service to the B.A.R team. It is hoped that BAR will do the same.

It is also expected that BAR will continue to respect the terms and conditions of its contract with Bridgestone.


I am quite confused by that last paragraph - I don't really understand if it is part of the release or was added by pitpass. So they would be much happier letting Minardi switch to the French rubber ;)

BAR should've been renamed JR as in Japanese Racing but they switched to Michelins the traitors.

Japanese Racing because:

Sato is Japanese
The rubber was Japanese
They're using a honda engine.

Its hard to see what aspect of the team is actually British American.

If I understand correctly, and feel free to correct me if I am wrong, BAR no longer stands for British American Racing, the team is just called B.A.R. now.

Edit: perhaps I'm wrong, or rather the source I heard it from is wrong, as it seems like the team is still called Lucky Strike British American Racing Honda

if you go to the F1 honda website they act as if its more or less team Honda.

I'd prefer a Mugen Livery Vehicle if thats the case cuz the JGTC Mugen NSX has the best paintjob i have ever seen. They also have different coloured rear spoilers ie ones Orange the other is Black for different cars.

Bridgestone won't care, saves them bothering with another non-prefered partner and lets them concentrate even more on the only team they are interested in.
They certainly do care, it's a disadvantage to them to have even fewer teams testing - and hence developing - their tyres.

Its hard to see what aspect of the team is actually British American.

$£$£$£$ The sponsorship money $£$£$£$ :wink:

They certainly do care, it's a disadvantage to them to have even fewer teams testing - and hence developing - their tyres.

If that is the case then it represents a very recent and dramatic turnaround in their thinking and actions.

I think their eyes have been opened by the rapid development of Michelins this year. The fact that most of the teams were running Michi's was clearly the reason behind their superiority.

I think their eyes have been opened by the rapid development of Michelins this year. The fact that most of the teams were running Michi's was clearly the reason behind their superiority.

That remains to be seen, at the moment such statements are nothing more than an attempt to read Bridgestone's corporate mind.

Michelin Superiority? Ferraristone just won the war! Don't talk to me about Michelin superiority!

That remains to be seen, at the moment such statements are nothing more than an attempt to read Bridgestone's corporate mind.

I'm not trying to read their corporate mind, just stating the bleeding obvious! :D

Michelin Superiority? Ferraristone just won the war! Don't talk to me about Michelin superiority!
Yeah, that Mike sure is a genius eh? :lol2:
I still stand by that. Michelins had the edge this year, without a doubt. Apart from in the wet, of course. :loser:

I'm not trying to read their corporate mind, just stating the bleeding obvious! :D

Okay, never let the facts get in the way of a good delusion.

Yeah, that Mike sure is a genius eh? :lol2:
I still stand by that. Michelins had the edge this year, without a doubt. Apart from in the wet, of course. :loser:

Yeah he was a genius today :screwy: Contractual number one status; a teamate, brother and two Saubers helping him out; customised tyres; financial backing equivalent to a small nation; govening body in his back pocket. And he still only just manages to scrape home by two points over a newbie in a year old car! <TIC>

Honestly, don't you ever get bored of this tune? I mean, brother helping him out? Laughable.

No, Michael wasn't a genius today, he made one mistake - what a crime. Let's not mention the stupid qualifying format put in place by the governing body, (that is in his pocket remember), which put him in a somewhat awkward position in the final race. And the new points system put in place by the governing body (again, that is in his pocket) that disadvantaged him and kept his rivals in it to the wire. Let me guess, Kimi was a more deserving championship winner. Yet again, "concede" isn't a word in the anti-schumacher official body.

Honestly, don't you ever get bored of this tune? I mean, brother helping him out? Laughable.

No, Michael wasn't a genius today, he made one mistake - what a crime. Let's not mention the stupid qualifying format put in place by the governing body, (that is in his pocket remember), which put him in a somewhat awkward position in the final race. And the new points system put in place by the governing body (again, that is in his pocket) that disadvantaged him and kept his rivals in it to the wire. Let me guess, Kimi was a more deserving championship winner. Yet again, "concede" isn't a word in the anti-schumacher official body.

Na in the wash Kimi didn't deserve the championship since he only scored one race victory to Michael's six. But he did do well with the odds stacked against him. Sure the new points system was one thing in his favour, not much else.

Why do I need to concede anything? Schumacher just won his sixth championship, there is nothing he needs from me.

Kimi certainly did a great job this, year, no doubt about it. Far better than JPM imho. A newbie, however, he is not. This was his third season.

The conceding thing relates to imo unjustified put-downs. But you obviously think they are and i wont change your mind, so lets leave it there.

Kimi certainly did a great job this, year, no doubt about it. Far better than JPM imho. A newbie, however, he is not. This was his third season.

Well he sure aint a veteran! This is only his fourth season driving more than a cart I believe. Just one less mistake and he could have snuck the WDC.

The conceding thing relates to imo unjustified put-downs. But you obviously think they are and i wont change your mind, so lets leave it there.

Just reacting against the hype. Sure Schumacher is good, that was apparent years ago. Do you really need to hear that from me? I choose not to bow down before his percieved greatness, why does that bother you?

The guy deserves (almost) all his success but there are plenty of other drivers out there who could beat him as often as not given a fair chance.

I must be going soft :lol:

No, Kimi is certainly not a veteran. But on your third season in F1 you are certainly not a newbie.

As for me wanting you to bow down before MS's greatness, thats entirely manufactured, like i said, i just don't like to see unjustified put downs of a great champion. There are drivers that can and have beaten him, but imo he's by some distance the best of his era. Please let's leave it there, i dont want to spend all of Sunday afternoon in front of my PC!! :)

No, Kimi is certainly not a veteran. But on your third season in F1 you are certainly not a newbie.

As for me wanting you to bow down before MS's greatness, thats entirely manufactured, like i said, i just don't like to see unjustified put downs of a great champion. There are drivers that can and have beaten him, but imo he's by some distance the best of his era. Please let's leave it there, i dont want to spend all of Sunday afternoon in front of my PC!! :)

All of my "putdowns", as you call them are justified (come on, some at least :p) and always preceded by others placing the man on a pedestal. Think of it as providing a balanced viewpoint and evening the ledger. Ralf on the other hand...

You keep saying stop but you keep posting the replies. You stop first! Or would that mean I win in some juvenile kind of way?

All of my "putdowns", as you call them are justified (come on, some at least :p) and always preceded by others placing the man on a pedestal. Think of it as providing a balanced viewpoint and evening the ledger. Ralf on the other hand...


There was no placing on the pedestal in this thread, unless you count my "mike is a genius gag", which certainly had quite an effect :p


You keep saying stop but you keep posting the replies. You stop first! Or would that mean I win in some juvenile kind of way?

Well you're clearly the one who thinks of it that way! I thought my last post was simply a stating of a different opinion without instigating a reply. Clearly wrong! :D

There was no placing on the pedestal in this thread, unless you count my "mike is a genius gag", which certainly had quite an effect :p

So none except one? That makes one by my math. And a couple of others maybe, go have a look. Effect? So does that mean you don't believe it and are simply trolling. Plausable I guess.

Well you're clearly the one who thinks of it that way! I thought my last post was simply a stating of a different opinion without instigating a reply. Clearly wrong! :D

Interesting concept - the non-reply instigating reply. Needs some work, certinaly not having the desired effect at this stage :lol:

So none except one? That makes one by my math. And a couple of others maybe, go have a look. Effect? So does that mean you don't believe it and are simply trolling. Plausable I guess.


Again, humour. I'll remember to leave it out in the future.


Interesting concept - the non-reply instigating reply. Needs some work, certinaly not having the desired effect at this stage :lol:
hard to pin that on me, me thinks. Would you prefer to leave it on "let's agree to disagree?"

Again, humour. I'll remember to leave it out in the future.

No keep practicing. Who knows you might improve or even learn to recognise it in others.

hard to pin that on me, me thinks. Would you prefer to leave it on "let's agree to disagree?"

What or you'll close this thread too?

I thought we were having fun, nothing nasty, but then you guys go and stomp on it. Disapointing. If that is they way you moderators play it is a good thing the season is over. You can talk as much bullshit as you want next season, I won't rain on your parade.

Goodbye.

Where's the nastiness? I thought i'd extended the olive branch with "let's agree to disagree"?

Where's the nastiness? I thought i'd extended the olive branch with "let's agree to disagree"?

This probably shouldn't be aired here, but I will say it anyhow.

Closing a thread because you didn't get my joking wasn't exactly nice Jay, the fact that you also failed to go back and at least acknowledge my PM to you in that thread was kind of unfair too.

I accept the apology you sent by PM, but you have still left it that you closed a thread because of my joking with you :disappoin

No hard feelings, just disppointment.

If you know it shouldnt be aired here...
PM me, you know i always respond. I apologised in my PM when you told me you were only kidding in that thread - in my defence i found it difficult to pick up - but i didnt realise you wanted my apology to be made public. Anyway, you got your wish. We can close the book on that one.

I didnt close the other thread because i didnt like your joking, Ray, believe me it takes a lot more than that, I closed it because Raider and I had rambled too far off-topic, and i felt that it was escalating into "a situation". I stand by that judgement.

As you say, no hard feelings, after all it's just a forum; Igor, i mean that in the nicest possible way :)

I don't see why his brother wouldn't help him out. Shit i know if i was in Michael's shoes and my brother was in Ralf's he'd help me out because he knows full well that its a lost cause trying to win the contructors title when he's at 8th place.