Thursday, August 14, 2008

Bridgestone Goes soft for Singapore


Bridgestone has announced it will take the softest tyres in its four-compound range to the inaugural Singapore Grand Prix next month.
The soft and super-soft rubber will be the tyres available to teams for Formula 1’s first night-time grand prix on roads around the Marina Bay area.
In its confirmation of its plans for the season’s final four rounds, F1’s tyre supplier also said it has opted to make a change to its compounds for the season-finale in Brazil in November, with medium and soft tyres to be used as opposed to last year’s soft and super-soft.
The other two flyaway events, the Japanese and Chinese Grands Prix, will feature the same compounds used at their respective races in 2007.

Bridgestone’s director of tyre development Hirohide Hamashima explained the Japanese firm’s decisions, saying: “This will be the first time for Formula 1 in Singapore and we will bring the soft and super soft compounds for this interesting new street course.
“High grip will be required at this track which is the primary reason for our choice.
“For Brazil we have moved a step harder in our allocation range.
“This race can be very hot, as we saw last year, and our data from the thrilling final race of last season showed us that this change would be beneficial for the teams."


Tyre compounds for remaining 2008 races


Europe (Valencia) – super-soft, soft

Belgium – medium, hard

Italy – medium, hard

Singapore – super-soft, soft

Japan – soft, medium

China – medium, hard

Brazil – soft, medium

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