The FIA keeps control over the tires and Bridgestone

Charlie Whiting, a prominent member of the FIA, sought to reassure drivers and teams that there will not be a significant difference between the two Bridgestone tire compounds used this year.

As was the case in 2008, drivers will be required to use two compounds during a race. This winter, concerns have arisen about the gap between the soft and harder tires.

Whiting stated that it was in the best interest of the sport for the compounds to be very different, but was keen to clarify that the FIA was keeping the situation under control.

« We should not rely on the tests from this winter because the atmospheric conditions will be much warmer during the first four races. »

« Of course, it’s something we will look into because we certainly don’t want too much of a difference between the two compounds available for each race. That said, I think it would be good for everyone if there were a bit more gaps in the field. »

He added: « We wanted to have a greater difference between the two compounds. In 2008, this gap was one or two tenths. We thought this gap should be larger. Bridgestone engineers are working on this. »

Whiting admitted that the ideal gap between the two types of tires would be about 0.5 seconds per lap.

« My personal opinion extends beyond half a second. But it’s just a personal opinion. Sometimes, in 2008, the difference was negligible. »