Ferrari Concerned about Tyre Wear

Technical director Ross Brawn said the team were not using a new 'family' of Bridgestone compounds that helped seven times World Champion Michael Schumacher to start the last race in Hungary from pole position.

"We've reverted back to an older compound because the durability needed here is such that we didn't have a candidate in that family of tyres that would be suitable for this track," said the Briton.

"Because of the long left-hander we're worried about the wear rate. So we've got a modified version of what we had in Magny-Cours and Silverstone."

Schumacher, runner-up to McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen in Hungary, was third in the French Grand Prix and sixth in the British race. The Formula One Champions struggled with their set-up in Friday's practice at the new Istanbul Park circuit and Schumacher was again way off the pace in Saturday's final sessions before qualifying.

The German was 14th fastest in both.

"We're back to another philosophy of tyre which is not so strong on the first lap but is more durable and more consistent," said Brawn. "So we have to approach the race a little bit differently here."

Ferrari are third in the Constructors' Championship, 31 points adrift of Renault, while Schumacher is 32 points behind Spaniard Fernando Alonso in the drivers' standings.

Michelin, who supply Renault, McLaren, Toyota, Williams and BAR among the top teams, have brought two distinct compounds to Turkey, one fast and durable and the other a softer option.

Being a new circuit, neither tyre manufacturer has any previous experience of the track's characteristics to work on before arriving.

"Tyre choice will be crucial here," said Toyota's Ralf Schumacher.