Formula One news

Bridgestone happy with 2008 tyre development

The Jerez race circuit in Spain was the location for Bridgestone Motorsport to begin its three-year tenure as Official Tyre Supplier to the FIA Formula One World Championship as nine of Formula One's eleven teams attended the first test of 2008 on January 14-16. 

Bridgestone's medium compound (dry) Potenza grooved racing tyre was in action for the majority of the test, although there were some runs on the Monday morning and on Wednesday with both Bridgestone's wet and extreme wet tyres. The 2008 season will be the first with Bridgestone as the official tyre supplier to the FIA Formula One World Championship. 

"This test was the first of the year after the break and it was good to see the teams back in action, some of which had their new cars," said Bridgestone technical manager Tetsuro Kobayashi. "January and February are very much about the teams developing their new cars and we will see a lot of progress in this period. Our tyres are essentially the same as provided last season, so the teams already have a good understanding of how they work. Now all the teams have to do is optimise their new cars with our tyres, and whoever does this best will have the greatest opportunity when we reach Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix in eight weeks time." 

"We have yet to announce our allocations for races and there could be some changes from the tyre compounds we brought to particular races in 2007," he added. "We have made a minor change to the tyre construction for all the compounds, but this is more of a refinement than a big difference. We have also adjusted our super soft compound and the difference should be seen in the races where this tyre is used."

more news

• 29 Nov.
  • Piquet: Campos drive would suit team
  • Massa and Schumacher triumph in karting race
  • Schumacher wins Saturday Challenge of the Stars
• 28 Nov.
  • Lola ready to enter Formula 1
  • Raikkonen close to Citroen WRC deal
  • Tung looking for 'useful' test
• 27 Nov.
  • Montreal seals Formula One contract
  • GPUpdate TV: Domenicali - high hopes for 2010
  • Jerez test: The cast
  • Wurz plays down USF1 link
  • Renault to test Baguette, Tung and Di Grassi
  • Alonso makes second visit to Ferrari
  • Force India confirms Sutil and Liuzzi
  • All new teams now FOTA members
  • Sauber buys team back from BMW
  • De la Rosa pushing for race drive
  • Ecclestone: I won't buy Donington
  • Haug becomes part of F1 in Schools
  • Volkswagen to provide F1 engines?
• 26 Nov.
  • Alguersuari: 2010 contract is signed
  • Conway and Ericsson to test for Mercedes
  • 4 driver options left for Lotus
  • 'F1 in need of Schumacher return' - Verstappen
• 25 Nov.
  • 'Fantastic opportunity' - Di Resta on Force India test
  • Recap: N.Technology court bid fails
  • BMW testers excited about Jerez
  • Brawn disappointed with Button drives, ponders Lauda
  • Piquet to drive in Massa kart race
  • Brawn aero chief wins award
  • Gillett disappointed with government position
  • Mercedes hopes to confirm line-up by Christmas
• 24 Nov.
  • Briatore verdict expected in January
  • Donington still hopeful over F1 race
  • Montreal race confirmation imminent
  • Massa names drivers for karting event
  • Campos car passes FIA safety tests
  • Strong test could seal drive, says Mallya
  • Force India to test di Resta and Hildebrand
  • Courts to hear Briatore case
  • Silverstone GP deal forthcoming

Homepage