Bridgestone learning from Michelin’s example

By Huw Alban
February 1 2006

Yesterday we carried a story indicating that there was a possibility that all the Bridgestone shod teams working together sharing tyre information. We were a little sceptical, but have had this story confirmed. Wow !

According to an inside source, “This agreement is in place and was organised by the Bridgestone teams as well as Bridgestone themselves.”

“Michelin have ALWAYS done this hence their ability to catch up with Bridgestone in the early 2000's. It is not unusual in the slightest,” we were told today through the MF1O forum.

“Midland give feedback to Toyota about the engine as do Toyota to Midland - it is entirely logical as it benefits both parties.” This of course has been confirmed today with the statement from Adrian Burgess explaining the rosy relationship between the team and their engine supplier.

Our source also explains why such an agreement hasn’t been in place before. The Portuguese Autosport article also threw doubt on the agreement based on events of the past. “The only reason that this agreement hasn't been in place before is because the combined testing capacity of Jordan and Minardi still wasn't a scratch on that of Ferrari's. When Ferrari went to test they could dedicate entire days to run tyres, where as Jordan and Minardi had to use that time to develop components for the cars.”

Yesterday, perhaps unfairly, I expressed a concern over this agreement. What if one of those parties started a policy of misinformation in order to gain an advantage over the others ? Apparently, that concern does not hold up – in fact the teams probably work closer together than I’d every thought possible !

“As for keeping the information correct, it benefits no one should they supply Bridgestone with the wrong information,” we’ve been told. “As it is simply impossible to make different spec. tyres for every car, they would go with the majority opinion even if Ferrari are the ones disagreeing.” Nice to see that team favouritism isn’t a factor here (although I’m sure that there are some Ferrari fans that would disagree).

“Basically the agreement that is in place between the teams is absolutely normal, and believe it or not the F1 teams do do a hell of a lot of work together. Otherwise the pace of development would be nowhere near what it actually is.”

Upon hearing this insight, my mood has changed from one of suspicion and scepticism to one of renewed hope. We’ve already learned today, that the team are working closely with Toyota and now we’ve got confirmation that tyre development will receive similar treatment.

Who else thinks that Midland really DO have the ingredients to spring a surprise this season ?