Formula 1 Hungarian GP
F1 tyre call must recognise different circumstances, says Vasseur
Formula 1’s final call on whether to hand Pirelli or Bridgestone the official tyre supplier contract must recognise the unique circumstances both companies face, says Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Jul 20, 2023, 3:32 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The FIA and Formula One Management are currently evaluating which of the two tyre giants should be handed the official F1 tender contract from 2025.
Both Pirelli and Bridgestone are highly respected as companies, and F1 teams have so far steered clear of declaring a firm preference for one over the other.
Vasseur is equally diplomatic, saying he has "faith" in both companies to be able to do a good job if they are given the final nod.
However, he says that what is critical is for F1 chiefs to fully comprehend the differing circumstances that the two rivals face – with Pirelli having experienced challenges as the current supplier and Bridgestone facing a tough task if it makes a return.
Speaking to Motorsport.com about how he viewed what the tyre companies had to offer, Vasseur said: "We are talking about two large companies and I have faith in both.
"If I start with Pirelli, I must admit that over the years we have always asked for new things, every season. First, we wanted more degradation, then we wanted less. We used electric blankets, and now we don't want them anymore.
"So we have to be honest that we have sometimes complained, but we have never had a consistent strategy on the tyre front.
"We asked for and got wider tires, and then we went from 13 to 18 inches. With Pirelli, we know where we are. It wasn't always that everything was perfect, but nothing is."
Pirelli tyres detail
Photo by: Pirelli
Vasseur said that having continuity could be good for F1, as it was important not to underestimate the challenge that a new tyre entrant like Bridgestone would face in preparing products without the ability to do much testing.
"Regarding Bridgestone, we know that they've done a good job in the past," said Vasseur. "I've had the opportunity to work with them over a couple of seasons and the relationship has been positive.
"But we have to remember that it's not an easy challenge, especially considering that, eventually, it will not be straightforward to provide them with a test programme to develop the product.
"You can't think of using a Formula 2 single-seater because it has less than half the downforce load of an F1 car.
Read Also:
- Why F1's biggest danger is not being ambitious with its 2026 rules
- F1 movie filming continues despite Hollywood actors’ strike
- What's behind Alpine's wavy front wing F1 upgrade
"I say this because we're talking about a manufacturer that in its previous experience in F1 was used to being on track every day for private tests.
"I think the Japanese have the know-how to offer a good product, but then many tests on the track are needed to develop it, so this aspect shouldn't be underestimated at all."
Additional reporting by Franco Nugnes
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Ricciardo confident of avoiding F1 "trap" that derailed him at McLaren
Next article Ricciardo: Working with former race engineer helped me rebuild confidence in F1 sim
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1 Dec 31, 2024
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1 Dec 31, 2024
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Dec 28, 2024
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Latest news
Why aerodynamics will become "even more important" under 2027 MotoGP regulations
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
21 min
Why aerodynamics will become "even more important" under 2027 MotoGP regulations
Sebastien Bourdais hopes latest WEC success will remind teams of his value
WEC
WEC WEC
Monza
2 h
Sebastien Bourdais hopes latest WEC success will remind teams of his value
"It's horribly painful" - Williams drops 2026 car upgrades to benefit 2027
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
3 h
"It's horribly painful" - Williams drops 2026 car upgrades to benefit 2027
Feature
Discover prime content
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Formula 1
By Kevin Turner
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe