Formula One news

Insight: Nürburgring's effects on tyres

The German Grand Prix will be the last before Bridgestone switches its tyres to consecutive compounds for four races. At the Nürburgring, Formula One's sole tyre manufacturer will be supplying the ten teams with the Medium and Super Soft compounds, both of which must be used at least once during the race on Sunday.

Marcus Winkelhock briefly led in the wet for Spyker in 2007

With the Hungarian, European, Belgian and Italian Grands Prix being, like Monaco, exceptions this year - as Bridgestone supplies more similar sets of tyres in order to accommodate for the unique natures of the circuits in question - the Nürburgring will, as usual in 2009, see non-consecutive compounds being used. The harder compound - known as 'Prime' - on offer this weekend (Medium) will generally present less grip than the softer option - known as 'Option' - (Super Soft, indicated with a green band on the tyre's sidewall) but with greater longevity.

"The Nürburgring circuit features an interesting mixture of very fast, medium-fast and slow corners, so finding the correct setup compromise is a challenge for competitors," explained Hirohide Hamashima, Director of Motorsport Tyre Development for Bridgestone. "Our tyre allocation of the Medium and Super Soft Bridgestones should mean exciting racing.

"Sectors 1 and 3 are more demanding on tyre grip, traction and braking performance than in the middle sector and it is an exciting, undulating circuit. The first corner, which has a variety of racing lines, and the chicane provide good overtaking opportunities. Brake balance is also important here and care has to be taken not to lock-up and flat spot the tyres when slowing."

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