Bridgestone Prepares Medium GP2 Compound for “Fastest Track”

The penultimate round of the 2009 Bridgestone-supported GP2 Series will be held at Monza on 11-13 September as part of the Italian Grand Prix weekend, where the medium compound GP2 tyres will be used. The circuit is one of only three on this year’s GP2 calendar that remains with the same compound of slick tyres as in 2008. Known as the ‘Autodromo Nazionale di Monza’ the circuit is the fastest that GP2 drivers experience during the year. Maintaining tyre durability and employing more aerodynamically efficient car set-ups will be the key to a successful weekend.

Hirohide Hamashima, the director of Bridgestone Motorsport Tyre Development addressed some of the issues related to the speeds expected at the meeting: “Monza is undoubtedly the fastest track on the GP2 and F1 calendars. One of the main factors that the GP2 drivers and teams need to consider here is the overheating of the tyres. With low downforce set-ups for the high speed sections, braking into the slower corners can be difficult and this causes some sliding which in turn can overheat the tyres.

“The drivers need to control the car well and the chicanes really test the drivers’ skill and technical ability. It is also a very abrasive track surface where tyre wear can be fairly high, and this combined with the potential for tyres to overheat means the medium compound is the most appropriate allocation for this circuit. GP2 should provide two entertaining races in Monza and the main passing point where drivers can get an advantage is at the first chicane.”

In 2008, Lucas di Grassi (Campos) and Davide Valsecchi (Durango) both took race wins at the Italian track and will be looking to repeat their performances, while championship leader Nico Hulkenberg races there for the first time in his career and will be looking to secure the 2009 GP2 title.