It has often been said that one of the reasons for the lack of overtaking is the single tyre rule which was introduced in 2007.
In the dim and distant past there were mutliple tyre suppliers and no restrictions on compounds, which introduced several other variables into races.
What might have worked well at one circuit didn't necessarily work well at another resulting in unusual (by today's standards) pit stop strategies and results.
Goodyear was the main supplier for almost 40 years up until 1998 and have the most wins, drivers' and constructors' titles to show for it.
Why did they pull out?
Was it due to costs or something else? Did they just want to focus on North American based series'?
Why did the FIA decide that a single tyre supplier was the way forward?
Again was this due to costs or was it politically motivated?
Considering most of the teams were running Michelin tyres at the time it's a surprise they withdrew rather than try to win the contract.
Was this because of a perceived bias towards Bridgestone who supplied Ferrari or was it due to the deeper problems between Michelin and the FIA?
What are those "simple arguments"?
Presumably cost related as I can't think of any which benefit the racing.
What's clear to most people is that a single tyre has removed some of the elements from the "racing".
That is all too apparent with the introduction of the rule that 2 different compounds must be used in each race, 1 of which is less than suitable.
This is nothing more than an attempt to introduce an artificial element to make up for the lack of different suppliers.
I suspect it will never happen but I for one would welcome the return of multiple tyre suppliers and the removal of any and all restrictions on the compounds that must be used.
In the dim and distant past there were mutliple tyre suppliers and no restrictions on compounds, which introduced several other variables into races.
What might have worked well at one circuit didn't necessarily work well at another resulting in unusual (by today's standards) pit stop strategies and results.
Goodyear was the main supplier for almost 40 years up until 1998 and have the most wins, drivers' and constructors' titles to show for it.
Why did they pull out?
Was it due to costs or something else? Did they just want to focus on North American based series'?
Why did the FIA decide that a single tyre supplier was the way forward?
Again was this due to costs or was it politically motivated?
Considering most of the teams were running Michelin tyres at the time it's a surprise they withdrew rather than try to win the contract.
Was this because of a perceived bias towards Bridgestone who supplied Ferrari or was it due to the deeper problems between Michelin and the FIA?
In the extract above, Max Mosley stated "There are simple arguments for a single tyre".Michelin has had a difficult relationship with the sport's governing body (the FIA) since around 2003, and this escalated to apparent disdain between the two parties during the 2005 season. The most high profile disagreement was at the United States Grand Prix and the acrimony afterwards. Michelin criticised the FIA's intention to move to a single source (i.e. one brand) tyre from 2008, and threatened to withdraw from the sport. In a public rebuke FIA President Max Mosley wrote "There are simple arguments for a single tyre, and if [Michelin boss Édouard Michelin] is not aware of this, he shows an almost comical lack of knowledge of modern Formula One". Another bone of contention has been the reintroduction of tyre changes during pit-stops from 2006. Michelin criticised the move claiming "this event illustrates F1's problems of incoherent decision-making and lack of transparency."
What are those "simple arguments"?
Presumably cost related as I can't think of any which benefit the racing.
What's clear to most people is that a single tyre has removed some of the elements from the "racing".
That is all too apparent with the introduction of the rule that 2 different compounds must be used in each race, 1 of which is less than suitable.
This is nothing more than an attempt to introduce an artificial element to make up for the lack of different suppliers.
I suspect it will never happen but I for one would welcome the return of multiple tyre suppliers and the removal of any and all restrictions on the compounds that must be used.