Bridgestone: No problems with tyres

The Japanese tyre manufacturer's director of motorsport tyre development Hirohide Hamashima wrote to FIA safety delegate Charlie Whiting on Thursday expressing concern about the gap and vertical difference between the bridge section on the track and the part leading up to it.

He was worried that the height difference could cause an impact on the tyres that may result in causing punctures.

However, with Whiting optimistic that the matter would not become an issue because the characteristic was no different to what cars experience going over normally kerbs, Hamashima has said he is happy to report no dramas after the first day of practice.

"The gap on the bridge was completely no problem. It was overconcern by me," explained Hamashima.

"Charlie said that the gap in kerbs are much bigger than the gap on the bridge, so anyway he said wait and see - and it has all been okay. At the moment the tyres have no problem, no damage, so we are very happy."

Hamashima said that Bridgestone engineers had rigorously checked the tyres after the sessions today to see if there was any damage, and nothing that could worry them was found.