Monza will cause tyre problems says Bridgestone
Tyre performance could be critical to the outcome of the race at Monza
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Wednesday, 05, Sep 2007 10:11
Bridgestone, the tyre suppliers for Formula One, claim that the combination of high-speed straights and low-speed chicanes at this weekend's Italian grand prix will be problematic for their tyres.
Kees van de Grint, Bridgestone motorsport's head of track engineering, says the heat generated by the high-speed straights means a harder compound is necessary although that choice would compromise grip in the corners.
He said: "Monza is an extremely difficult circuit to master from a tyre perspective. In terms of track surface you could use a soft tyre.
"However, because of the high speeds a lot of heat is generated and therefore to cope with that you select a harder compound. This combines with the low downforce to make a compromise in terms of grip."
F1 teams face a choice between two compounds which must be used during the race and the selection could prove critical to the outcome of the race at Monza.
McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton faced a problem with his tyres at the last race in Turkey. The Briton suffered a puncture which caused one of his tyres to de-laminate halfway round the track.
The incident cost the 22-year-old a podium finish in Istanbul and allowed his drivers' title rivals to close the gap on him at the top of the standings.
Crucially team-mate Fernando Alonso is now five points behind Hamilton while Ferrari's Filipe Massa is 15 points behind.
Van de Grint said it would be up to the teams to find the best setting in conjunction with the aerodynamics but insisted that driver safety was paramount.