Australian Grand Prix Offers Tyre Graining Challenge

Bridgestone Motorsport Tyre Development director, Hirohide Hamashima looks forward to the greater tyre challenges posed to competitors than at the season-opener in Bahrain in the Australian Grand Prix this weekend, while explaining that the supplier has addressed the issues experienced at the circuit last year: “As we saw last season, Albert Park can present many challenges. This is the first race of the season held on a non-permanent circuit. We expect to see a lot of track improvement over the course of the weekend, which makes finding a good set-up difficult.

“The track evolution is also an important factor when deciding which tyre strategy to use. We have moved our allocations a step harder for this season, which should mean tyre management is not as challenging as in 2009. Melbourne is very severe for graining and even bringing this harder allocation, competitors have to take care of tyre set up. We think the performance difference between prime and option will be bigger than it was in Bahrain. Also, you can never be certain of the Melbourne weather, so a lot of time will be spent looking at the skies.”

The Albert Park track features 16 turns over its 5.3km and is a compromise circuit in its layout with low downforce desired down the straights, but higher downforce requirements through the turns. High lateral forces mean high levels of energy and heat are dispersed through the tyres. Hiroshi Yasukawa, director of Bridgestone Motorsport, says: “It is always a pleasure to visit Australia, which is a very important market for Bridgestone. The people of Melbourne always give us a great welcome and the Australian Grand Prix gains substantial attention all around the world.”