Bridgestone introduces a new type of soft tires

Bridgestone presents a new type of soft tire considered intermediate starting from the Monaco Grand Prix.

The official Formula 1 supplier has decided to produce an intermediate soft specification with more rubber to counterbalance the loss of aerodynamic grip in wet conditions caused by the regulatory changes in 2009. This decision follows a particularly wet start to the season, both during pre-season testing and at the Malaysian or Chinese races where drivers struggled for grip.

« Our new intermediate tire compound will arrive for Monaco and we will use it for the rest of the season, » said Bridgestone Motorsport director Hirohide Hamashima.

« It is a softer compound allowing for more mechanical grip with a low level of downforce on the car because we realized that it was more difficult to drive on a wet track than in the past. »

Bridgestone also announced the allocation of dry tire compounds for the four races starting from the Monaco Grand Prix. For this street race, the teams will be provided with Super Soft and Soft tires.

« The tires provided for the four races starting from Monaco are based on the data we have gathered since the beginning of the season but also on the extensive knowledge we have of the races from attending the circuits in previous years. »

In Monaco, there is a change in our supply philosophy due to a track that is considered slippery and smooth. This means we will bring the Super-Soft and Soft tires.

Here are the types of tires brought by Bridgestone for the next five races, the first five on the European continent.