The F1 teams will be able to use slick tires at Jerez

Bridgestone will provide F1 teams with slick or smooth tires at the upcoming private tests to be held at the Jerez circuit in Spain at the beginning of December, the Japanese manufacturer confirmed.

It will be the first time that all teams will be able to race with this type of tires since the ban was implemented in 2006.

Bridgestone, in F1, is the sole tire supplier and will therefore provide each team with three sets of slick tires to be used during testing in Jerez from December 4 to 7.

The teams agreed that all the kilometers driven with this type of tires will not count towards the total mileage quota that the teams can cover during the off-season.

The tests aim to collect data for the 2009 season, where slick tires could make their comeback.

However, Bridgestone stated that it was too early to talk about a possible return of this type of tires for 2009.

« Bridgestone providing these tires is simply responding to a request from the teams and the test committee, as the teams want to obtain data for the 2009 season, » said a Bridgestone spokesperson to autosport.com.

« It is too early for Bridgestone to make forecasts about the range of tires for the 2009 season, but we are always available to exchange ideas with the teams and the FIA. »

The FIA had plans to introduce slick tires in F1 in 2008, but these plans were abandoned, and the rules in effect this year will also apply for 2008.