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[yamashek]

Bridgestone scrap compound 'gap' policy
Reverting to consecutive compounds from Hungary
01/07/09 10:24


Compound experiment fails for Bridgestone
Bridgestone has scrapped its policy of leaving a gap between the two types of tyre compounds. At the remaining rounds of the season following next Sunday's German Grand Prix, the sport's official tyre supplier will instead revert to supplying consecutive compounds.

Fernando Alonso had hit out at the situation earlier this year, slamming the policy as in the interests of a false spectacle while making the drivers look ‘ridiculous’.

"We have made the change to the tyre allocation concept based on the data we have collected from races so far this year combined with our knowledge of the tracks we visit for these (next) races," director of tyre development Hirohide Hamashima said.



He said continuing the 'gap' policy would have caused problems at the next five races, including the twisty Hungary and Valencia, cool Spa Francorchamps and Monza in Italy.

“The cars of 2009 are very different to those used last year so we have learnt a lot so far this year, and they do use their tyres differently from before,” Hamashima added.

E.A. © CAPSIS International
Source: GMM

Interesting information...

Let's see, given JB and BrawnGP's advantage in handling less-than-ideal compounds, could this mean that this kind of advantage is less of an advantage now? I want to comment about RedBull, but I am not sure how they handle their tires...

thoughts?

[EwanM]

Good, what a let down of a rule that was.

[h-tomek]

I don't think changes in the middle of the season are good. Yes, this was stupid rule, but, they have introduced it for this season and it should have lasted to the end of the season.

[scotty]

But which way will they go with the compunds? ie use the 'middle' compound and the hard, or the softer one?

[myownalias]

I don't think changes in the middle of the season are good. Yes, this was stupid rule, but, they have introduced it for this season and it should have lasted to the end of the season.

I agree; you can't move the goalposts in the middle of the season, that's simply ridiculous!

[yamashek]

But which way will they go with the compunds? ie use the 'middle' compound and the hard, or the softer one?

i think they posted it on f1.com here it is:

Announced Bridgestone tyre allocations for the 2009 season:
Australia - super soft, medium
Malaysia - soft, hard
China - super soft, medium
Bahrain - super soft, medium
Spain - soft, hard
Monaco - super soft, soft
Turkey - soft, hard
Britain - soft, hard
Germany - super soft, medium
Hungary - super soft, soft
Europe - super soft, soft
Belgium - soft, medium
Italy - soft, medium

[cap-dude]

They are still strange compounds I think. Soft and Medium for Spa. Spa is pretty harsh on tyres. Whilst Monza, Soft and Medium again. For a track that isn't really tough on tyres. Hmm. Then again, I'm not the tyre experts. We'll just see how things go.

If the tyres continue to explode, we'll enjoy watching. If they don't, at least the teams and drivers will be happy.

[headless]

Explosion sounds good!

[darwin dali]

They should have just ONE tire for the entire season, period. Plus intermediates and full wets - that's it. Let the teams deal with it and prove themselves

[texasmr2]

They should have just ONE tire for the entire season, period. Plus intermediates and full wets - that's it. Let the teams deal with it and prove themselves

DD for the next FIA president!!!!

[darwin dali]

They should have just ONE tire for the entire season, period. Plus intermediates and full wets - that's it. Let the teams deal with it and prove themselves

DD for the next FIA president!!!!

You're not the first

[headless]

With 2 votes you could be in!

[McLaren Fan]

Although the rule has been another pathetic attempt by the FIA to improve the spectacle of Formula One, the rule should not have been changed in the middle of a season. Clearly, attempts are being made to make the title battle much closer in order to boost television ratings. More corruption in Formula One.