MotoGP: One-make tyre rule would punish Bridgestone says John Hopkins

American John Hopkins reckons Bridgestone are being unfairly penalised for being successful on track as he faces up to the prospect of a one-make tyre rule in 2008.
 
John Hopkins, who has raced on Dunlop, Michelin and Bridgestone tyres in his premier class career, said it was wrong for such a drastic rule change to be implemented at the first hint of Michelin failing to dominate the MotoGP world championship.

The factory Suzuki rider, who will move to Kawasaki next season, said: “I think it’s unfair to Bridgestone and it could be penalising them.

Michelin had the advantage over everybody for so many years and I think it’s unfair to Bridgestone in that respect, because they’ve proven they have a better tyre this year and they’re getting penalised.

“I think it’s healthy competition to have more than just one tyre manufacturer. I’m afraid because the manufacturer are going to choose who gets what tyres.”

If the one-make tyre rule is given approval, John Hopkins said he hoped that Bridgestone would win a potential bidding war and that he would be able to continue his long-standing relationship with the Japanese factory.

He added: “As long as I stay on Bridgestone’s and I’ll always be on Bridgestone’s then I’m happy. I think Bridgestone has the best tyre and even when they were not rated the best tyre I’ve always liked them.

“Four years ago when I first got on them I liked the braking stability of them and they just kept getting better and better.”

Click here to read about Jerry Burgess’s urge for caution with one-make tyres

Click here to read about Bridgestone boss Hiroshi Yamada blaming Valentino Rossi for one-make tryre proposal