Or would they pull out?
And if they pull out, would Bridgestone be prepared to step up to the role of sole tire supplier for the MotoGP class?
Dorna would have to issue a request for tender, but initial responses from Bridgetone indicate that the Japanese company would not want to undertake the role of exclusive supplier, a role that they reluctantly assumed in F1 when Michelin withdrew after a request for tender was issued by the FIA.
Pirelli's competition director in World Superbike told me that moving from prototype tires to control tires in MotoGP, "could be a negative operation for the tire company selected because lap times will increase and star riders will be unhappy not to be able to have tires made especially for them."
Furthermore, Pirelli, supplying control tires for all four classes in the WSBK series, all categories of the
British and Canadian Superbike series, and also for the American MotoST Endurance Championship, may be near their capacity.
Dunlop, however, are supplying the 125 and 250 classes in the Grand Prix paddock and are also dominant in the prestigious AMA Superbike Championship and also currently leading and dominating in all three support classes. Would Dunlop, stunned by the loss to Pirelli in bidding for the British series and preparing to bid for sole tire rights to the new AMA roadracing championship, consider taking on the MotoGP challenge?
Or would Michelin, who are also reportedly interested in bidding for the American rights, repeat the willingness they showed in 2008 to take over as sole tire supplier?
And, at the end of the day, would Bridgestone, having become the dominant MotoGP supplier, change their corporate mind and bid to be sole supplier?
