Vettel Not Yet Burning Rubber

BMW-Sauber Formula One team test driver Sebastian Vettel has disclosed that he and the team are struggling to get their best out of the new Bridgestone tyres.

Having made good progress up the field on their Michelin tyres last year, the team have encountered difficulties matching this performance during the early stages of winter testing using the Bridgestone replacements.

Nineteen year-old Vettel was recorded as slowest overall on the first day’s testing at the Jerez circuit, and he believes that the team has yet to fully understand the characteristics of the Bridgestone rubber. He admits he may need to adapt his driving style to suit the new tyres before he and the team again record times comparable with 2006.