26/04/2009
NEWS STORY
This year, the return of slick tyres to Formula One after eleven season's absence has been a significant talking point. Bridgestone's new allocation philosophy of having a more significant change between the two tyre compounds brought to each race - with the compounds differing in rubber stiffness and temperature working range - has been a big factor in the exciting racing.
Bridgestone will also debut a new compound of intermediate tyre at the Monaco Grand Prix, and this tyre will be used for the rest of the season. This new compound is softer than previously, and it is designed to counter some of the lost aerodynamic grip in wet conditions, due to the change in the cars' aerodynamic packages for 2009.
Both allocations of dry tyres have to be used in each race, unless the intermediate or wet tyres are used, meaning that competitors need to find the best compromise to utilise the potential of both tyres. The means of distinguishing between the two compounds on event is through means of green bands painted on the edges of the tyre sidewalls of the softer tyres at a race. Green is the colour in order to show Bridgestone's support of the FIA's Make Cars Green campaign.
Hirohide Hamashima, Bridgestone Director of Motorsport Tyre Development: "Our allocations for the next four races from Monaco onwards are based on the data we have collected so far this season, and the extensive knowledge we have of the race venues we visit. In Monaco, there is a change to our allocation philosophy due to the unique characteristics of this smooth and slippery track.
This means we will bring the super soft and soft tyres, which are next to each other in terms of softness, and also both from our low temperature working range family. Our new intermediate tyre compound will debut at Monaco and we will use this for the rest of the season. It is a softer compound and will allow more mechanical grip, however the lower downforce from the latest cars means that it is still more of a challenge driving in the wet than before. This season, it is interesting watching the teams and drivers develop their knowledge of how to use our latest tyres and there is still much to learn."
| Grand Prix | Super Soft | Soft | Medium | Hard |
| Australia | X | X | ||
| Malaysia | X | X | ||
| China | X | X | ||
| Bahrain | X | X | ||
| Spain | X | X | ||
| Monaco | X | X | ||
| Turkey | X | X | ||
| Britain | X | X | ||
| Germany | X | X |