Bridgestone planning just one spec tyre

The move has been prompted after Bridgestone was chosen as the sole supplier in Formula One for the 2007 season.

Bridgestone's director of motorsport development Hirohide Hamashima said the Japanese company is likely to start the season with the same spec tyres used in this month's test at Barcelona.

"Unless there is a massive problem with this compound when we test in Barcelona, that will be the spec that we will race in the season opener," Hamashima told autosport.com.

"That is why we want to check this baseline in the first test. Because of the sheer volume we have to produce, the production line is full already. We have to have enough tyres for everyone at any time.

"We had to change the philosophy totally. However it was not our fault that the single tyre came into force in 2007."

Winter testing will kick off on 28th November in cool conditions at Barcelona, but the first races of the season will take place in warmer places like Australia, Bahrain and Malaysia.

Hamashima reckons Bridgestone will face new challenges due to their decision to use the same spec tyres all winter.

"In the winter, with the graining, they will slide more than normal and will suffer a lot in cooler temperatures. That will be the main issue we will face in the first few tests," he added.