Full Throttle

After the Indy FIAsco and the psuedo-race put on by Bernie’s boys a call for help by the tyre manufacturer isn’t all that remarkable.

But this 911 call is for Bridgestone to get with the program.

Michelin has called on Formula One tyre rival Bridgestone to raise its game and provide a viable alternative to its own product after revealing that an eighth team has asked to use French rubber next season.

Contrary to the expectation that Red Bull Racing would switch to Bridgestone to take fuller advantage of its engine partnership with Ferrari, thereby splitting the field 6-4 in favour of Michelin, it would appear that either the Scuderia, Jordan or Minardi has requested a move in the opposite direction, reducing Bridgestone’s involvement to just two teams among ten.

A pre-Hockenheim statement issued by the French manufacturer claims that it is ‘completely open to allowing for a more balanced split of teams among tyre manufacturers, starting as early as the 2006 season’, a veiled hint that Bridgestone may like to alter its gameplan in order to attract a larger share of the field. Any manufacturer involved in the sport must be willing to take on 60 per cent of the field, but Bridgestone currently only supplies 30 per cent.

My bets are on Ferrari making the switch.