Brazil GP: Between slicks and grooves, a different situation for Bridgestone

In 2009, slick tires made their big comeback in Formula 1. The official supplier, Bridgestone, warns that the difference will be significant on the Interlagos track, mainly regarding the frequent graining in Brazil.

Finally, the ten teams will have Super-Soft and Medium tires from the Japanese manufacturer’s range this weekend.

Hirohide Hamashima – Director of Tire Development at Bridgestone:

« It is a very demanding and exciting track. The first corner comes at the end of a long straight, and since it goes downhill, finding the right braking point is difficult. We expect to see overtaking and brake lock-ups. This could damage the tires. The track surface is often very dirty at the beginning of the weekend. As we saw last year, the weather can also be a major challenge. Interlagos is a circuit where having good grip is a priority. Traditionally, there is a lot of graining due to the dirty surface, but this will be less of an issue this season with the presence of slick tires being more resistant compared to the grooved tires we used previously. »