[QUOTE]Commenting on the issue, Hirohide Hamashima, Bridgestone Motorsport

 

Why would that be sporting? Think about it, last year Hamilton also had a problem with his Bridgestone around Turkey. It is his unique driving style through turn 8 that causes the problem. Bridgestone didn't order the 3 stopper, just advised it to McLaren. Last year that race killed Hamilton's championship. It was better to be safe than sorry and lose a great deal of points again possibly. They also noted that only Hamilton had some strange things going on with his tire this weekend during Friday and no other driver did. So the blame can't be laid at Bridgestone's feet.

And the Michelin debacle at Indy, thank you toyboat for dicking up that race. 2 years in a row only toyboat had a problem with the Michelins and Michelin played it safe and told the teams they couldn't guarantee a problem wouldn't happen and the FIA in all it's wisdom wouldn't compromise at all. Can you blame the teams for not sending their drivers out on an unknown? I still don't blame Michelin for this either, it was clearly the toyboats weak suspension and the settings they used which caused all the problems.

 

Its got something to do with his driving style. Even when he was driving on Top Gear he approached a particular corner unlike any other F1 driver that had driven on the show.
Also McLaren have always been (recent history) a bit week on solidarity front when it comes to their front chasis. I think it was a very wise decision on Bridgestone's part to insist for the three stop strategy, no one wants to see a repeat of MAY 1'st , 1994!

 

Yes - any team could have stopped more often to change the tires...they chose not too.

 

Think back to Shanghai last year.

He was the only one to have issues with managing the tires in damp conditions with his intermediates.

It isn't the tires

 

He seems smoother than most other drivers, at least from the in-cockpit views. His line was different on Top Gear's track but if you'll recall he crushed Jenson's time... on a wetter track! What is unique about his style?

 

^ its faster

 

And it uses up more tires, I guess.

 

In the Garage:

McLaren: We're concerned with tire wear in this race. We're going to have to drive the piss out of the car to keep up with the Italians.

Bridgestone: Ok?

McLaren: I want you to promise us that we won't have a repeat of last year

Bridgestone: Well, then don't run your tires longer than you know you should

McLaren: How can we guarentee we won't have a repeat of last year?

Bridgestone: Change your tires more often

At press conference:

Press: Lewis, what was your reasoning for the three stopper

Lewis: Bridgestone required us to run a three stopper.

Press: So, it had nothing to do with the incredible pace of the Italians?

Lewis: No not at all. We would have won the race but Bridgestone made us stop three times.

 

^that would be Bridgestone, not Michelin.