Valencia test 'useful' for Bridgestone
Bridgestone learnt a great deal about their new, narrower front tyres from the three-day test in Valencia
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Friday, 05, Feb 2010 11:09
By Adam Leveridge
Formula one's official tyre supplier Bridgestone has said the data collated during the first pre-season test of 2010 in Valencia was useful in determining the durability and characteristics of their new, narrower front tyres.
At the start of 2009, slick tyres were introduced in place of grooved dry rubber, along with radically revised aerodynamic regulations, aimed at reducing downforce levels and improving overtaking.
However, the change from grooves to slicks meant a rise in front-end grip and negated the loss of downforce from the new wing configurations, and so the decision was taken to introduce narrower fronts.
At the opening winter test of the year, which was held at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia between February 1st and 3rd, Bridgestone rolled out its new specification of rubber for the first time and, according to Bridgestone Motorsport's technical manager Tetsuro Kobayashi, they collated some useful data.
"We brought the soft and super-soft dry compound tyres to Valencia, along with our intermediate and wet weather specifications too," said Kobayashi.
"Valencia is a less severe track compared to some and although it has a slightly rough surface we are able to use our softer compounds here.
"One interesting factor at Valencia however is the front tyre graining caused by the lateral forces, which makes it a good track for us to evaluate the graining resistance of our front tyres."
The second pre-season test of 2010 begins next Tuesday in Jerez and, in contrast to Valencia, Kobayashi expects the Andalusian circuit to be tough on the rear tyres.
"Valencia is much more severe, especially on the rear tyres, so we will be able to check our rear tyre performance more thoroughly next week," said Kobayashi.
"So far though, our tyre performance is in line with our expectations."
In Jerez, Bridgestone will supply teams with the medium compound as the prime tyre, as well as the hard and soft compounds as the option.
Speaking about the introduction of the refuelling ban, Kobayashi said he is confident all four compounds of tyre will be able to cope with the additional loads. However, he stated Bridgestone will not become complacent and will continue to analyse the data.
"Certainly, with the cars being potentially 100kgs heavier this year at the start of the races than last year, the longer stint lengths with greater amounts of fuel will place additional loads on the tyres," he continued.
"But our 2010 casing should be much more durable in comparison to the 2009 casing: the strengthened rear construction in particular; will help the cars accommodate this new rule.
"We have already noted that much higher downforces are being produced in comparison to last season."
As in 2009, Bridgestone intends to take two dry compounds to each race weekend and the softer of the two compounds will be distinguishable by green bands on the outer edges of the sidewalls.
Teams will have 11 sets of dry tyres available to them for a race weekend, as opposed to 14 last season.