Assessment Friday – A lot of graining for Bridgestone

The tires had their first official meeting today on this first Friday of the 2008 season, well and truly underway!

After several laps at the Australian Albert Park circuit, the teams are certain. The track lacks grip, particularly due to the dust. This effect will fade hour by hour according to Bridgestone, the sole tire manufacturer.

On the tire front, the drivers have fallen victim to graining with the hardest tires, while the softer ones seem to wear out far too quickly…

Hirohide Hamashima – Director of Tire Development, Bridgestone Motorsport:

« It was good to finally return to competition after long days of testing. Despite the high temperatures, it seems our tires are holding up. »

« Although most teams preferred hard tires today, I think the soft ones will be the most performant for the rest of the weekend and the most used. »

However, it is very difficult to know which driver performs best since the setups and fuel quantities are different. So not everything will depend solely on the tires.

Additionally, as expected, the track proved to be dirty this morning, but everything should improve and the graining should disappear quickly.