Arena layout a challenge for F1 tyres

The new infield section, which will include a flat-out right-hander at Abbey, could help Silverstone become the fastest track on the calendar.

And although the speeds will be a challenge in terms of tyres, Bridgestone's director of motorsport tyre development Hirohide Hamashima thinks the knowledge his company gained from the MotoGP event at the venue last month gives him confidence for a positive weekend.

"We know Silverstone very well from so many races here in the past, however now we have the challenge of a new layout," he said.

"The track was previously one of the most severe for the tyres in terms of layout and circuit roughness on the calendar. The new layout, if anything, makes it more punishing, and certainly too severe to bring our super soft compound.

"The additional straight means that the average speed should be higher than before. Entering the new section, the right hand turn at Abbey should create high lateral forces.

"With Bridgestone's unique position of supplying both Formula 1 and MotoGP we were able to validate a lot of our predictions of this new layout at the recent British MotoGP round so we are quite confident looking to this race.

"We are hopeful of a good spectacle with the soft and hard compound tyres and certainly will learn a lot from the new configuration."