Bridgestone prepares for 50th race

The Japanese manufacturer is starting its fourth season supplying the teams and its second consecutive year as sole supplier.

More than 2,500 tyres will be required for this season's F1 season with four new specifications of dry tyre - extra soft, soft, medium and hard.

Bridgestone motorsport technical manager Yoshihiko Ichikawa claims the Albert Park circuit will require soft and medium spec tyres.

"Albert Park has an unusually smooth track surface which is always dirty at the start of the weekend due to its daily use as part of the city road network.

"The track is especially dirty during Friday practice. This increases the wear on the tyres and makes it difficult for the teams to find a good set-up.

"The cars are prone to understeer due to the combination of tight turns and a slippery surface - this confuses the choice because the softer tyre can be expected to provide more grip but may also affect the balance.

"We anticipate that the choice of tyre will once again become a deciding factor in each car's performance. In Australia the teams will be supplied with the soft and medium spec tyres."