Formula 1 teams have raised concerns over how the series could adjust to a change of tyre supplier, as Pirelli is believed to face competition from a rival.
The FIA announced in March it had invited manufacturers to apply for the contract to supply tyres for the championship from 2025 to 2027. Pirelli has been F1’s exclusive supplier since 2011.
However its predecessor in the role, Bridgestone, is also believed to be considering an application. It provided tyres to teams from 1997 until 2010. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said it would be happy to use tyres provided by either company in principle.
“We’ve worked with both companies and won races and championship with both, they’re both quality companies,” he said. “So Formula 1 is in a fortunate position if both are showing keen interest.
“We have absolutely no issue with Pirelli at the moment, Bridgestone is a quality brand, a quality manufacturer.”
However he pointed out that when Pirelli arrived in F1 there was disagreement over how their tyres would be tested, as any team which conducted all or the majority of the running could gain a significant advantage.
“The only complexity, and the one that perhaps the teams would squabble over, is when they come to needing to sign off their product and then suddenly a test car has to be produced,” said Horner. “Who produces the test car?
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
“Who runs the test car? Who drives the test car and who gets that knowledge? And how do you do that in an impartial way?
“It was always a slightly sore subject historically. So that would be one key thing to address.”
AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost had first-hand experience of Bridgestone’s arrival in F1 in 1997. Prior to their arrival he worked with Ralf Schumacher, who drove for the Formula Nippon (now Super Formula) Team Le Mans, who assisted Bridgestone’s development of F1 tyres.
He expects the Japanese manufacturer will therefore prepare as thoroughly as possible if it does choose to enter.
“Bridgestone is a very well-known company, has also a lot of experience in Formula 1 although they were out the last years,” said Tost. “I’m convinced that Bridgestone is aware of what it means to come into Formula 1.
“I would not be surprised if they wouldn’t have made any tests already in Japan because when they came back 10 or 15 years ago, the team where I was working, the Le Mans team, was involved in the tyre development. Ralf Schumacher did the tyre test in those times and this was two years ahead before they came into Formula 1.”
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
However if Bridgestone have not already begun development work they will face a challenge to be ready in time for 2025, said Tost.
“If they haven’t started then I think it’s quite late because to develop tyres for the current Formula 1 is a huge challenge,” he said. “It’s not so easy to find the correct way to have also safe tyres.
“So I think for Formula 1 and for Formula 1 management, it’s a very good possibility to negotiate with Pirelli and then to find a solution who is providing Formula 1 with better material and who is paying more money.”
Bridgestone previously entered F1 as a competitor to rival Goodyear, at a time when multiple tyre suppliers were allowed in the sport. Following Goodyear’s departure at the end of 1998, Bridgestone faced another rival in the shape of Michelin from 2001 to 2006. Michelin departed ahead of F1’s decision to impose a single tyre supplier.
