by Chris Hayes
Bridgestone are happy with the way the 2009 specification slick tyres are performing despite concerns from drivers about the absence of tyre-warmers next year.
Several high profile drivers including
Michael Schumacher,
David Coulthard, and
Nico Rosberg, had expressed anxiety about the safety implications of the decision to ban tyre warmers in 2009.
However, Bridgestone Motorsport, the official tyre supplier to the
FIA F1 World Championship, have reported significant improvements in tyre warming following the second major 2009 specification slick tyre test ahead of next weekend's Spanish Grand Prix.
"Running with the slick tyres has been interesting and we are also happy with their performance," revealed Tetsuro Kobayashi, technical manager for Bridgestone Motorsport.
"The situation of warm-up with these tyres is much improved as we look to the future with no tyre blankets. We brought three compounds of slicks here so there was a lot of work to do, especially with teams running with different aerodynamic configurations.
"The drivers now have a greater understanding of driving
Formula One cars with slick tyres to the 2009 regulations with lower levels of downforce and no tyre blankets. We should all expect to see more progress next time we test slicks, which is planned for the
Jerez test in July."
Ten teams were present over the four days of testing from 14-17 April where
Bridgestone's hard and medium compound 2008 specification dry grooved tyres were supplied to teams as well as three compounds of 2009 specification developmental slick tyres.
Bridgestone's hard and medium compound grooved Potenza tyres will be in use at the Circuit de Catalunya next weekend.
The Circuit de Catalunya in Spain with its long sweeping corners is notoriously demanding on the tyres but Bridgestone are happy with the performance being offered by the hard and medium compound tyres.
