Formula One news

Super Soft: fastest tyre in Monaco

Bridgestone was happy with the general performance of its tyres after the first day of practice in Monte-Carlo. The Japanese company, sole tyre manufacturer in Formula One since 2007, has made an exception in Monaco this weekend by making use of consecutive tyre compounds, with both Soft and Super Soft in use.

Since the start of 2007, all drivers have been obliged to use both the harder and softer compounds on option over a weekend at least once during Grands Prix, although 2009 saw changes introduced which state that non-consecutive compounds are used during the races, such as Hard and Soft or Medium and Super Soft. With the unique track conditions in the principality, however, the exception has been made for this weekend only.

Bridgestone's motorhome, seen here in the Barcelona paddock

"Today was a challenge for all the drivers as the grip level in Monaco is very difficult to learn and any mistakes are punished by the barriers," said Hirohide Hamashima, director of motorsport tyre development for Bridgestone. "Even though these are our softest tyres, drivers will struggle for grip here due to the unique slippery nature of this track. Despite this, we saw very good displays from the drivers today (Thursday) with some exceptional car control, as we would expect of the best drivers in the world.

"The Super Soft tyre (recognised - as the softer option of the weekend - by a green sidewall stripe) was faster than the Soft tyre, as we expected; the difference between the two tyres today was around 0.4 seconds over the fastest lap (for each driver). Both tyres delivered their fastest lap on the first or second flying lap and neither tyre suffers greatly in terms of wear or degradation because of the low grip here." Tyre development during practice is crucial as teams calculate and develop what is hopefully the quickest strategy for the race on Sunday.

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