Bridgestone announces tire specifications

Following the successful debut of Bridgestone’s new for 2007 specification Formula One tires at the opening rounds of the FIA Formula One World Championship, Bridgestone Motorsport can now confirm the tire specifications for the Canadian, USA, French and British Grands Prix.

These are drawn from the four dry grooved tire compounds (Super Soft, Soft, Medium and Hard) produced for the season to cover all 17 races. In keeping with Bridgestone’s sole tire supplier status, these compounds are expected to remain constant through the year to enable a level playing field for the teams.

After a change to the Sporting Regulations in March 2007, the two specifications of dry tire at each grand prix are now visibly distinguishable from one another in order to promote a greater understanding of the tire strategies for the media and race fans. The softer of the two specifications will be marked with a white line in the base of the second from inside groove.

Q&A Kees van de Grint, Bridgestone Motorsport Head of Track Engineering Operations:

Why is Bridgestone announcing the tire specifications in groups and not all at once?
"It is important that we constantly evaluate the performance of the tires and how well the teams are adapting to them. Our aim is to ensure that the tires are the correct choice both in terms of safety and also suitability for each track. During the pre-season tests we were able to confirm the specs for the first five races and subsequent feedback from the first three of those races has now been taken into account regarding the choice for the next four rounds of the season. Announcing the choices now will enable the teams to start thinking about their tire strategies for the coming races."

Tire compounds for first nine Grands Prix:

* ING Australian Grand Prix:
Soft & Medium

* Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix:
Medium & Hard

* Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix:
Medium & Hard

* Gran Premio de España Telefónica:
Medium & Hard

* Grand Prix de Monaco:
Super Soft & Soft

* Grand Prix du Canada:
Super Soft & Soft

* United States Grand Prix:
Soft & Medium

* Grand Prix de France:
Soft & Medium

* Santander British Grand Prix:
Medium & Hard

Source Bridgestone