Bridgestone Predict Higher Speeds Next Year

Lap times have tumbled notably in Formula One this season and will fall further next year, according to Japanese tyre maker Bridgestone.

"The average fall in lap times this year has been about two seconds," said Hirohide Hamashima, head of the firm's tyre development. "This is because of an improvement in the cars as well as competition between Bridgestone and our rival (Michelin).

"I believe about 30 percent of the reduction is down to the development of the tyres.

"I think it is fair to expect that, through a combination of car, engine and tyre development, this trend will continue next year," he continued. "By how much, it is impossible to predict and, from our point of view, it will always be within the bounds of safety."

Several lap records have been broken, including last Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix where Ferrari's World Champion Michael Schumacher lapped in 1:49.758 during the race compared to Alain Prost's 1993 record of 1:51.095.

Before that, McLaren's Mika Hakkinen had slashed the previous best time at the Hungaroring. Last season, Bridgestone had a monopoly on tyre supply in Formula One. The ruling International Automobile Federation (FIA) expressed concern about speeds at the start of the season and said they might have to act to slow cars down for safety reasons.

However Williams technical director Patrick Head said in Hungary last month that he had been assured by the FIA's safety delegate and race director Charlie Whiting that there was no intention to try and reduce speeds next year.

Bridgestone said they would decide on the specification for a prototype tyre for 2002 next month and that it would be tested in the laboratory in November and December, when Formula One embarks on a track test ban.

Testing will resume in January and a final prototype "will hit the track just before the opening race of the 2002 season at Albert Park, Melbourne, in March".