Teams to test slick tyres at Jerez

Bridgestone will supply Formula One teams with slick tyres during the upcoming test at the Jerez circuit in Spain, the Japanese manufacturer has confirmed

It will be the first time all teams run with slicks following the introduction of grooved tyres at the start of the 1998 season.

Bridgestone, Formula One's sole tyre supplier, will supply each team with three sets of Potenza slick tyres to be used during the test at Jerez on 4-7 December.

The teams have agreed that any mileage completed during the test on slicks will be outside the scope of the testing committee agreement.

The test is aimed at looking at gathering data for the 2009 season, where slicks could return to the sport.

Bridgestone said, however, that it is too early to talk about its plans for 2009.

"Bridgestone are supplying these tyres as a response to a request from the teams and the testing committee, as the teams want to gain data as they look to the 2009 season," a Bridgestone spokesman told autosport.com.

"It is too early for Bridgestone to comment on our tyre range for the 2009 season, however we are always available to discuss ideas with the teams and the FIA."

The FIA, the sport's governing body, had plans to get slick tyres back into Formula One in 2008, but those plans were ditched to continue with the current grooved tyres.