Control tyre rule withdrawn
October 25th, 2007The proposal for a control tyre has been withdrawn, and the paddock breathed a collective sigh of relief (except Team Roberts who would actually have rather liked a control tyre to bring them closer to other teams) after yesterday’s announcement.
My predictions have so far been proven correct (just don’t read the bit about Elais re-signing for Gresini) although it is still not clear which tyre Rossi will be on next year. Some news sources are claiming that he will be on Bridgestones, that it’s a done deal, in fact that it was essential in getting the control tyre proposal rescinded. I still cannot believe Rossi will turn his back on years of tyre data, and the input of Lorenzo’s side of the garage, not to mention Tech 3 input from Edwards and Toseland. For this reason, I still believe Rossi will be on Michelins next year. Common sense was uttered by Jerry Burgess recently when he commented that you don’t turn your back on a partner after a few lousy races, you dig in and fight back. That’s what Rossi needs to do: to focus and to stop throwing his toys out of his pram. And get more power from the Yamaha, but that is a different fight.
October 26th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
I thought Jeremy Burgess’s comments were a bit strange. Made it sound like MotoGP is all about honour and standing by people. Last I looked, it was all about winning! Me, me, me! If a technical partner isn’t coming up with the goods, give them the boot. This isn’t some kind of benefit gig for people who aren’t quite good enough. (Although the continued presence of Colin Edwards says otherwise.)
Maybe I’m too much of a ruthless cut-throat for MotoGP!
October 26th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
I see where you are coming from Jimmy, but maybe it’s more a case of not jumping ship too quickly and ending up riding a pile of mis-matched crap. After all, if he does switch to Bridgestones he is two years behind Stoner in experience with them, on a bike designed with a different philosophy in mind. Did Ducati switch to Michelins when they didn’t win the championship for five years? I think Yamaha and Rossi should stick with the Frenchies and force them to improve. Is part of the forcing bit to threaten to leave? I think so, although I may be proven wrong in my assumption that Rossi is bluffing. Now, if Michelin maintain their crap performance in 2008, Rossi really will have something to bitch about.
I guess we’ll find out next week. And I can’t disagree with your Edwards comment - I think he has been kept because he is such a good tyre tester, which makes Rossi’s move all the more stupid if it happens.
October 27th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
Hmmm. Edwards hasn’t found a tyre he’s happy with all year, and he called for a one tyre rule…
It’s hard to tell what Rossi will do. After all, he moved to Yamaha, changed the bike completely, had no data and won the championship!
It’s like when there’s a strange wet/drying track. All the championship contenders want to be on the same tyre as their rivals. Leave it to others to take a heaven or hay bales risk. Rossi wants to be on the same tyres as Stoner, even if it means doing all the testing himself.
Stupid for everyone else? Yes.
Stupid for Rossi? I don’t know…