BAR request Michelins

[ales]

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?

[crayzayjay]

Not a huge surprise really, and another blow to Bridgestone

[RallyRaider]

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.

[ales]

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):

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

[NSX-R-SSJ20K]

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.

[ales]

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

[NSX-R-SSJ20K]

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.

[crayzayjay]

Originally Posted by RallyRaider

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.

[crayzayjay]

Originally Posted by NSX-R-SSJ20K

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

$£$£$£$ The sponsorship money $£$£$£$

[RallyRaider]

Originally Posted by crayzayjay

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.

[crayzayjay]

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.

[RallyRaider]

Originally Posted by crayzayjay

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!

[crayzayjay]

Originally Posted by RallyRaider

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!

Originally Posted by RallyRaider

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

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

[RallyRaider]

Originally Posted by crayzayjay

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

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

Originally Posted by crayzayjay

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

Yeah he was a genius today 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>

[crayzayjay]

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.