Zoom Pushing hard on the opening lap

Fernando Alonso won the 16th round of the championship after using a medium-medium-soft tyre strategy in a thrilling Japanese Grand Prix. Alonso crossed the finish line 5.284 seconds ahead of BMW Sauber driver Robert Kubica who used the same tyre strategy. Kimi Raikkonen also used this strategy to finish third. Today’s fastest lap time, 1:18.426s, was set by Felipe Massa on lap 55 using the medium tyre.

Hirohide Hamashima, Tyre Development Director
“Today we saw a very exciting race and congratulations to Fernando Alonso and Renault for surviving the first lap and pushing very hard with their strategy to take their consecutive win. We must also thank Robert Kubica and Kimi Raikkonen for giving us an enjoyable battle for second place. There was not a great amount of rubber on the track and the medium compound enabled most drivers to set their fastest lap time today."

"Both compounds worked largely as we expected at Fuji. We could clearly see the tyre wear characteristics as a result of the Make Cars Green markings on the tyres and this was an interesting new aspect for fans. Regarding Adrian Sutil’s tyre, it appears that he sustained a puncture, possibly from debris on track, as the data showed pressure loss before the tyre came apart.”

Shoshi Arakawa, Chairman, President and CEO
“Congratulations to Fernando Alonso for his victory here at the Fuji Speedway in what was an eventful race for everyone. We are proud that our Make Cars Green tyres added to the excitement. Bridgestone, as the Official Tyre Supplier to the FIA Formula One World Championship, will continue to support all of the teams and drivers with our full efforts and we will promote the Make Cars Green campaign globally.”

E.A. © CAPSIS International