Bridgestone: New front, softer rears for Silverstone
This weekend's British MotoGP will mark the first event where the new specification Bridgestone front tyre, offered as an additional option at recent events, becomes standard.
The new front slicks - preferred by most riders, but notably not Repsol Honda team-mates Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa - will be available in the soft and medium compounds to ensure the best initial grip and feel in the expected cool conditions.
An additional change, relative to last year's Silverstone round, is that the asymmetric rear slicks will be offered in medium-soft and medium, rather than the medium and hard choice for 2011.
Both 2012 rears feature the same medium rubber compound on the right shoulder of the tyre, with a choice of either the extra-soft or soft rubber on the left shoulder.
"I am happy to be visiting Silverstone once again as the circuit is fast and technical, the facilities are excellent and the British fans are always very passionate," said Bridgestone's Motorsport manager Hiroshi Yamada.
"With Cal Crutchlow doing so well this season I expect even greater home support and as we had very wet conditions at Silverstone last year, I hope we get fine weather this weekend and get to enjoy yet another exciting race!
"This race is always a challenge for tyres with its high speeds and cold conditions and so we have undertaken considerable tyre development leading up to this year's British Grand Prix.
"The new specification front slick tyre becomes the standard front offering from this round onwards and at Silverstone will be available in the soft and medium compounds, while we have also revised the composition of our asymmetric rear slick tyres for this race compared to previous years.
"Both these developments are prime examples of Bridgestone's commitment to constantly exploring ways to improve rider safety."
With rain showers presently forecast throughout the three days the Bridgestone wet compounds - Soft (Main), Hard (Alternative) - are also likely to see track action.