By BMW Sauber F1 Team
April 10 2009

Bridgestone has again developed four different dry tyre compounds for this season. Two of these are selected for each Grand Prix, and the teams are then obliged to use both compounds during the race. Hirohide Hamashima, Bridgestone Director of Motorsport Tyre Development, explains the differences between the tyre compounds. "The difference between the performance of two compounds at a race meeting is a complex area," says Hamashima. "There are so many variables involved, such as circuit layout, track temperature, track surface conditions, car and driver characteristics, and many more."

Hamashima reveals that the focus of tyre development at Bridgestone has shifted for the 2009 season. In previous years the main focus of attention has been on the stability of the various different compounds. This year, however, the different operating temperatures are seen as the key issue.

"This year the objective is to see one tyre that heats up to its ideal operating temperature rapidly, thus giving a quicker initial lap time," the Japanese explains. "The trade off for this will be higher degradation compared with the other one, so the tyre will not maintain its performance."

In comparison, the second compound will take longer to achieve fast lap times, due to the increased temperature window. Hamashima continues: "Once in this window, it will deliver good grip and consistency. Watching how teams maximise the potential of the two compounds during the course of the year should be very interesting indeed."