Bridgestone: new tyres exceed expectations

The Japanese tyre manufacturer introduced the new harder compound and construction for the first time this week, and early feedback from the test has been positive.

Bridgestone's technical manager Hisao Suganuma said: "Following initial feedback and analysis, it looks like we have produced a good one-make tyre with consistent performance.

"It probably would not win any races in a competitive tyre supply situation but that situation is now behind us."

The type of tyre run at Barcelona was what will be Bridgestone's hard compound specification, and Suganuma said he was happy with the durability and performance of it.

He added: "Barcelona is a high speed circuit and one of the most severe on tyres. We have therefore brought our 'hard' dry specification tyre for all the teams in attendance. This is a new construction and compound, so it is new for everyone.

"The focus is on durability and consistency and therefore the general grip has been reduced. However, these conditions are the same for everyone. The challenge is now for the engineers and drivers to get the most out of the tyres through car set up.

"On the whole, the tyre has exceeded our objectives for a single make situation."

Suganuma has confirmed that Bridgestone will supply just four different specifications of tyres throughout the 2007 season, depending on the type of circuit that is being raced on.

"For example, we would plan to run the softest spec in Monaco and Hungary," he said. "At each race, in conjunction with the teams, we will choose the two most appropriate specs. The step change between each spec will be similar to the difference between specs in 2006.

"During the winter we will evaluate the tyres with the teams and see if our plan is correct. So far our estimations seem to be working well. If we need to develop the tyres further or introduce counter measures we are able to do that."