Williams moving Bridgestone closer to Michelin

[fpv_gtho]

http://www.planet-f1.com/news/story_22138.shtml

'Bridgestone close gap to Michelin'
Friday February 17 2006
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Bridgestone have reportedly managed to significantly close the gap to Michelin in the tyre war over the winter due to the development work of Toyota and, in particular, Williams.
No longer relying solely on feedback from long-time partners Ferrari, the Japanese tyre manufacturers are reportedly making rapid advances having added the Cologne and Grove outfits to their stable for the 2006 season.

"Toyota, Williams, Ferrari and Midland have agreed to share all our data," Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn told F1-Racing magazine, "which gives Bridgestone more confidence in the results they get."

The magazine claims that, having been one second a lap slower than Michelin's dry tyre in November, Bridgestone's new dry is now only 0.3 to 0.4 seconds slower.

Much of the improvement, it seems, is due to the work of Williams in recent testing.

Bridgestone's latest - and fastest - compound was apparently intitaly rejected by Michael Schumacher, but was then 'revived after a Williams test at Jerez during which first Alex Wurz and then Nico Rosberg used it to post Bridgestone’s best long run lap times of the winter in their interim Fw27.'

Since then, Midland, Toyota and, most significantly of all, Ferrari have re-adopted the tyre - incontrovertible proof, it would appear, of the benefits to be gained from Bridgestone opening up its house.

[Zytek_Fan]

I think the switch to Cosworth power and Bridgestone tyres was a wise decision

[Vindesh17]

they had no choice with the engine as it was BMW's decision to leave them.

[fpv_gtho]

BMW offered them customer engines after they announced the Sauber deal but Williams rejected it. For the meantime, theyre still 0.3-0.4 seconds slower than what they could be on Michelins, with a month of testing left. Its likely that could be equal or in Bridgestones favour by Bahrain.

Most might say they chose Cosworth as Honda and Toyota couldnt provide supply to a 3rd team on such short notice

[Zytek_Fan]

BMW offered them customer engines after they announced the Sauber deal but Williams rejected it. For the meantime, theyre still 0.3-0.4 seconds slower than what they could be on Michelins, with a month of testing left. Its likely that could be equal or in Bridgestones favour by Bahrain.

Most might say they chose Cosworth as Honda and Toyota couldnt provide supply to a 3rd team on such short notice

It is important to note that Williams had more success with Cosworth engines than BMW engines. If Williams does as good as they have been in testing so far then we should expect a few podiums, if not wins

[spi-ti-tout]

It is important to note that Williams had more success with Cosworth engines than BMW engines. If Williams does as good as they have been in testing so far then we should expect a few podiums, if not wins

I don't follow F1 that much but I think it is also imperative to note the drivers, if they have changed.