The ECU software development has been frozen. And in any case, none of this in any way contradicts the fact that the introduction of the spec ECU favored Ducati over Yamaha and in particular, Honda.
Did not Yamaha use Forward racing during the open period as a means to obtain data with regards the ECU (from memory here, not google)?
I still totally disagree with regards to a head start but all good, we can differ as I firmly (and simply) do not agree that things cannot and do not change year on year.
As an example, tyres changing can impact the good work put in to electronics from one week to the next, thus the ECU could theoretically be mooted year on year due to development anyways
Similar points total. Same number of podiums (unless you include Redding's). Only two wins to four in '06. But all against a vastly more experienced and capable field. On spec tyres & electronics.
Same point yes but twice as far behind which clearly shows that the gap had increased which by correlation means that Ducati were not as competitive against the big 2.
Ducati's record last wasn't just an outcome of research in winglet - it was a genuinely good bike - delivering podium pace at all circuits except for two or three. And the GP15 (with smaller winglets) wasn't a long way off.
And if they can develop that once, they can develop one suitable for the new rule structure. They're not that far off in pace anyway having already scored a podium.
Absolutely they can develop one within the current rules ............. and just as absolutely I would expect the rules to change shortly thereafter if it is deemed that Ducati are ahead of the pack with said development.
Scoring a podium is a poor indication of competitiveness - are you going to tell me that Jack Miller was competitive in 2016 ......... I mean, he scored a win so ............
Iannone & Dovizioso have done quite well too - one can't stop crashing and other lacks breakaway pace & maybe a bit of aggression. But they're both good riders overall.
Neither of them is a Stoner however. And that's a void that cannot be substituted with tyres.
IMO here but one is over-rated in that he is yet to stop that crashing so for mine, whilst the second is a very good #2 team man and occasional race winner with impeccable pedigree as a nearly man (no disrespect to him, just that the 'man' is a bit further ahead).
Both will have their good days but not good years (and yes, a deliberate tyre pun there)
Pedrosa requested a switch after Brno and HRC got him a Bridgestones supply mid-season. Rossi had already proven competitive on them and they had data from the Gresini team that had been running them with the RCV.
But was refused ........... why.
The answer is quite simple - that for him to change did not benefit DORNA
In any case, Bridgestone's basic motivations - despite knuckling down under pressure from Ezpeleta - didn't change.
Yes they did (IMO)
They went from a company developing tyres for teams, to a company forced to take on an extra person that they had stated they could not, thus something had to give as Bridgestone had stated that an extra person would stretch their resources ........
I say this because the way you described them, they came off as some sort of sporting organisation with altruistic motives assisting the 'smaller manufacturers' perhaps driven by love of sport or competition or to support the underdog.
Bridgestone were there to beat Michelin and win races/score podiums, nothing more. They had no personal attachment to Stoner.
Absolutely Bridgestone were there for race wins and title wins should they come along ........ else, why the .... be involved.
They may not have had an association with Stoner but it was Ducati and Stoner's results that precipitated the demands from Rossi as he felt that they produced the better tyre (2007 season bought Bridgestone to the fore, little talk prior).
Ergo, without Stoner and Ducati their tyres were crap as the demand did not come at seasons end 2006 after Rossi was beaten and Ducati performed well, but after he was beaten again by a bike and rider who were not considered as threats earlier in the year. As was reported by many media at the time (google it) the feeling was that Stoner was not the difference but electronics and tyres, so naturally, riders wanted that edge.
The basic point being - in the context of the open tyre/control tyre - the smaller manufacturers or teams hoping to make up their performance deficit with customized tyres have little to offer a tyre supplier. Anything else is a temporary aberration - the top teams & riders were running Michelins in previous years only because they believed the Michelins were the best. When Bridgestone shod bikes began prevailing, it was merely resetting the system. That the top teams would start getting them was inevitable - Ezpeleta merely expedited the process. HRC was just as capable of twisting arms to get Pedrosa a Bridgestone contract for at least 2009.
We differ again and have already been there.
I genuinely feel that a tyre company working with a 'lesser' team has huge potential to produce results that showcase the potential of the factory and products as through close development with a smaller number of teams, the opportunities for collaboration increases. You feel the opposite and prefer spec as it is, all well and good.
BTW, it was not Bridgestone bikes , but a Bridgestone shod bike that changed the perception of the 'stones and Ezpeleta 'pushed' that specific allowances be made by Bridgestone
In 1999, Rossi was still a ways from being Dorna's golden boy. And while he may be the influential of the riders, it isn't level playing field for the rest of the grid. Someone like Stoner was always bound to have far far more influence than a Vermuelen or De Puniet.
BS
Rossi was annointed from his days in the 125cc both based on talent and persona.
He was what DORNA wanted to remove themselves from the era of hard nosed racers who were there to race and instead lead them into an era of social media driven personality laden media savvy individuals who were no longer racers, but brands.
Rossi entered the 500cc class in a team that was satellite in name only - google and review or quite simply, search for Arrib's posts on the subject.
