Zoom Compounds yet to be determined for 2009

Bridgestone this week completed its first post-season test at the Circuit de Catalunya 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 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 22 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 Motorsport Technical Manager Tetsuro Kobayashi takes questions...

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?