New tyre markings get go-ahead

Following tests conducted at Sepang last week to try and come up with a better way to differentiate the tyres after the complaints about the white circle used at the Australian Grand Prix, it was agreed that the painted groove was the best solution.

For this weekend, the bottom of the second inside groove of the soft tyre will be painted white. This solution has been approved by the FIA and Bridgestone will now begin work on preparing the rubber for the start of practice on Friday.

A Bridgestone spokeswoman confirmed that they hoped this solution would be a success and that the white groove could become adopted for the rest of the season.

"We hope that we can now stick with this idea," she said. "As long as everyone agrees it is a good solution then we should be able to use this as our system for the rest of the season."