Green light for ’red-tire’ rule
The little white circle Bridgestone put on its F1 tires in Melbourne last weekend to indicate which tires were the softer compound were a joke as no one could see them once the car was rolling. There is talk now that the markings must be visible for fans to see. Some predict that F1 is going to have to adopt Champ Car's red sidewall system (or whatever color) for them to be visible.
03/06/07 This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' today. Following an 11th hour decision by the Formula One Commission and the FIA's World Motor Sport Council, the Formula One's revised 2007 Sporting Regulations now state: "Each tire supplier must undertake to provide no more than two specifications of dry-weather tire at each Event, each of which must be of one homogenous compound and visibly distinguishable from one another when a car is on the track."
01/15/07 (GMM) F1 will introduce the so-called 'red rule' to coincide with the beginning of the sport's sole tire supplier era, we have learned.
It is understood that, in order to enhance Bridgestone's visibility after the withdrawal of Michelin, and to spice up the action for spectators, running two distinct tire compounds – a 'hard' and a 'soft' – during every race will be mandatory for drivers.
Bridgestone pioneered the idea, involving the coloration of red tire-walls to differentiate the softer tire, in Champ Car.
It is understood that all eleven teams and the FIA have agreed to implement the rule for 2007.