Bridgestone Motorsport Barcelona Test Summary
November 20, 2008 by Christine
Filed under Press Releases
Bridgestone Motorsport, the Official Tyre Supplier to the FIA Formula One World Championship, has completed its first post-season test of 2008 at the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona, Spain, where two compounds of 2009 specification slick tyres were used as well as 2008 specification grooved tyres.
Nine teams were present over three days of testing between 17-19 November and they made use of hard and soft compound slick tyres as well as grooved tyres. Dry conditions meant that there was no use made of Bridgestone’s wet, extreme wet or development single wet tyre.
Although the weather was dry, it was cold, meaning that attaining and maintaining tyre temperature was a challenge for teams, particularly with the hard compound slick. A significant amount of data was gained with twenty-two different drivers over the course of the three days. Teams used visibly different packages, with development 2009 aerodynamic packages, interim and 2008 specification cars all in use. There was also some use of KERS systems by certain teams.
Bridgestone’s Potenza Formula One tyres will next been seen in use in Jerez on December 9-11, where eight teams are scheduled to test, and in Bahrain on December 10-12, where one team is scheduled to test.
Q&A with Tetsuro Kobayashi – Technical Manager, Bridgestone Motorsport:
Which tyres did Bridgestone bring to this test?
“We have brought two compounds of 2009 specification slick tyres, of a hard and soft compound. We also have several compounds of 2008 grooved tyre here as well as our current wet and extreme wet tyres, and the developmental single wet tyre.”
What was learnt with the slick tyres?
“We already have a lot of data from previous running with slick tyres, so the test helped build on this and allowed the teams to evaluate and develop their approach to using these tyres. The weather here in Barcelona has been quite cold so teams have found it difficult to warm up and maintain the heat in their tyres with the harder compound slick. We have gained a lot of data over the three days and we are still analysing it. This is not a completely straight-forward process as there were so many variations of car specification used here over the three days, with current cars, simulated 2009 downforce cars, and cars with early versions of the 2009 aerodynamic packages. Also, there were cars with KERS systems, which are still under development. It has been a very interesting three days, particularly as we have had feedback from a five-time World Rally Champion, as well as seeing new drivers, including the very well known motor sport name of Senna out on track.”
How different are the slicks from the grooved tyres we have seen for the last eleven seasons?
“Grooved tyres are a different concept of tyre from slicks and their introduction brought many challenges such as graining and a change of tyre construction. The return to slick tyres in some ways makes things simpler, and the drivers in particular have welcomed their return. Our current slicks are very different from those we last used in Formula One in the 1997 season, and we have applied the lessons learnt from eleven seasons of working with grooved tyres and from our long experience of other categories of slick tyre.”
Will there be two specifications of tyre at each race next season, and how will you distinguish between them?
“We will take two specifications of tyre to each race and we have worked to engineer two specifications which have a greater difference in characteristics between the two than we saw in the 2008 season. The harder tyre of any given allocation should offer very good consistency, but not nable as good an initial lap time. The softer compound should offer a very good initial lap time, but will experience performance drop-off the more it is used. It is hoped that this should provide competitors with many challenges and strategy options to encourage exciting racing. As regards tyre markings, we are still evaluating exactly what we will use.”
Have you decided which compound allocations to take to each race yet?
“We are still accumulating data and it will be some time before we determine the particular tyre
allocations for each Grand Prix.”
What effect do the Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) have from a tyre perspective?
“There should be no difference to overall tyre performance from the additional burst of power that the KERS systems are designed to provide. This is shown by the data we have seen from the systems that have been used so far. In terms of the overall performance of a Formula One car it is quite a complex area. To be effective, a good KERS system needs to be compact and light so it does not compromise the weight distribution opportunities of the chassis. Weight distribution, of course, affects tyre performance so the designers have this in mind when they design their KERS set-ups. This is all part of the challenge of Formula One, and illustrates why Formula One is an excellent test bed for new and emerging technology.”
03-Sep-08: Bridgestone Discuss Slick Tyres
It’s the 3rd September 2008, and this is F1 Minute.
Last week saw the deadline for Bridgestone to submit their slick tyre specifications for the 2009 regulations. Autosport.com spoke to the director of motorsport for Bridgestone, Hirohide Hamashima, and found out what he thinks the tyres will be like. “We will bring two different working range compounds to each race, and there will be a time difference and also a character difference. The degradation will be different, so it may give the teams some more difficulties.”
With the grooved tyre disappearing, and nowhere for the white stripe to go, Bridgestone are also faced with the challenge of making the distinction between soft and hard tyres obvious for fans. “It will be on the sidewall design only though, with white paint or a white ring or something like that.” It doesn’t sound too different to what we have already then.
Now that the specifications have been submitted to the FIA, they will not be able to change for the entire 2009 season.
That’s it for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
24-Apr-08: FIA Launch the EveryRace Campaign
It’s the 24th April and this is F1 Minute.
The FIA have launched the “EveryRace” campaign, which appears to be an evolution of the previously announced Racing Against Racism initiative. The campaign took shape after an incident during winter testing that saw some racist behaviour towards Lewis Hamilton, and it aims to highlight the fact that “there is no place for racism in our sport or our society.” Visit everyrace.net for more information.
Hamilton, meanwhile, has said he isn’t anticipating any problems this coming weekend in Spain, says he always gets on well with the Spanish fans and he’s looking forward to a good race.
Elsewhere today, David Coulthard has been giving his opinion on the new rules and regulations, saying that he doesn’t believe reducing downforce and running slick tyres will give the audience the show it wants. He said more needs to be done, such as improving how the cars run through dirty air, before we start to see the increased overtaking that we want. He doesn’t go on to say how this could be achieved, though.
That’s all for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
28-Feb-08: McLaren Homes Visited by Italian Police
It’s the 28th February, I’m Christine and this is F1 Minute.
The McLaren factory was visited by Italian police yesterday, as the top bods were questioned in regards to the Ferrari espionage last year. The police also turned up at the homes of several members of staff, although names have not been released. McLaren assured us that the visit was “part of a normal judicial process in connection with the ongoing investigation” and also that the police were satisfied with their co-operation.
Bridgestone have announced that they will supply more slick tyres for teams to test in April, as they continue to analyse the potential of a 2009 comeback. They also spoke of this year’s tyres, saying they are almost identical to those in 2007, except minor changes to the super-soft compound.
And in the world of predictions, Nelson Piquet is saying that he doesn’t believe Renault are expecting to win races, Alonso has said Lewis Hamilton could win but he thinks Raikkonen is the most likely champ, and Kimi has played down expectations saying he’s unsure who the strongest team are and that the testing results are not that reliable.
That’s all for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
13-Dec-07: McLaren Apologise to Everyone for Espionage
Hello everyone, this is F1 Minute for the 13th December 2007.
McLaren have written a letter to the FIA apologising for the Ferrari information scandal, and offering to hold back any borrowed technologies from the rival team. The inspection of McLaren’s car found that some ideas, such as the gas in the tyres and the quickshift technology appeared to have come from Ferrari. McLaren say they will not develop these technologies, they have given a public apology to basically everyone, and offered to pay the inspection costs incurred by the FIA.
Also in the news, a lighting system by an Australian company has been submitted to the FIA after a secret night test by Mark Webber. He was joined by a former motorcycle champion last month for the test, and the results have shown the system is immune to blackouts and casts no shadows. If the FIA approve the lights, Australia could very well be hosting their own night race along with Singapore.
And your final bit of FIA news, Max Mosley has said that if the new aerodynamic rules in 2009 do not cut cornering speeds, then teams can forget about slick tyres returning to the track.
That’s all for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
04-Dec-07: Heidfeld Leads Slick Testing in Jerez
Today is the 4th December 2007, I’m Christine from Sidepodcast and this is F1 Minute.
Testing in Jerez kicked off today, with slick tyres being used for the first time in almost a decade. Heidfeld topped the timesheets in the BMW, with Honda’s Jenson Button just a tenth of a second behind him. Raikkonen returned to the car for the first time since Brazil and finished fourth behind de la Rosa in the McLaren.
Giancarlo Fisichella was taking his turn in the Force India car, but had a bad start with a bit of a spin. No damage was done and he finished the day in 14th. Timo Glock, in his Toyota debut, finished just ahead of him in 13th.
Some new names and faces included Nico Hulkenberg in the Williams, whilst Marko Asmer and Javier Villa ran just over 50 laps each for BMW in the hopes of grabbing the test driver role for the team.
Mark Webber finished 8th for Red Bull, having also reinforced his belief that moving from Williams was a good decision. He says he’s enjoying his driving again, and despite the lack of results at Red Bull, he’s happy with his form and believes they are the best team he has driven for.
That’s all for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
29-Nov-07: Indianapolis Boss Hopes For F1 Return
Today is the 29th November 2007, this is F1 Minute and these are your top headlines.
The boss of the Indianapolis circuit in America has expressed his hope that Formula 1 will return to the states and to their track. Having invested so much in the circuit, Joie Chitwood hopes that a deal can be done for a future race.
BMW have released Timo Glock from his contract, so that he can join his new team Toyota for the upcoming test in Jerez. Glock’s contract officially runs out on December 31st, but BMW have given the go ahead for him to test all four days next week.
Jarno Trulli has been talking about his hopes that slick tyres will return to racing, as he dislikes the current grooved ones. Trulli says they change a drivers style to be totally unnatural and the graining that come with a grooved tyre is frustrating. He blames any lack of overtaking in Formula 1 on the grooved tyres.
And very quickly, two former World Champions have been talking about Michael Schumacher’s impressive return to form in testing this winter. Alan Jones and Mika Hakkinen both say that his success may tempt the German back to the cockpit.
That’s all for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
21-Nov-07: Jerez Testing to Feature Slicks Tyres
Today is the 21st November 2007, I’m Christine and this is F1 Minute.
The upcoming test in Jerez in December will be the first in almost ten years to feature slick tyres. The teams are all in agreement that they need to gather data for a possible return to slicks in 2009, but that the laps they complete this year should not count against their testing mileage limit.
Also in the news, Bernie Ecclestone continues his love/hate relationship with the Silverstone circuit. Today he is loving the circuit and urging the British government to fork out some cash for the necessary upgrades. He says: “With a tiny percentage of what the government are wasting on the Olympics, they could support Silverstone.” A few weeks ago the Sports Minister for the UK said he supported the Grand Prix at Silverstone, but no money would be forthcoming.
And finally, a quick update on yesterday. I mentioned that BMW would be launching their new car, the F1.08 on 14th January, and we now know it will be in Munich.
That’s all for today, thanks for listening, and join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.