Button’s Use of Soft Tyre in Shanghai “Intelligent Driving”, says Bridgestone’s Hamashima

Reigning Formula One World Champion Jenson Button used Bridgestone's soft compound and intermediate tyres to win the Chinese Grand Prix in mixed weather conditions at Shanghai International Circuit on April 18. The British driver piloted his Vodafone McLaren Mercedes across the line just one and a half seconds ahead of team-mate and fellow countryman Lewis Hamilton. Button started the race using soft dry compound tyres, with two sets of intermediates seeing use later in the day. Hamilton made four stops, employing a soft-intermediate-hard-intermediate-intermediate tyre strategy.

“Congratulations to Jenson Button for his second win this season and Vodafone McLaren Mercedes for their 1-2,” said Hiroshi Yasukawa, director of Bridgestone Motorsport. “This race was very well supported by Bridgestone China who had many guests present. We were all rewarded with a fantastic battle on track which was enjoyed by all of our guests. Today highlighted the qualities of our dry and intermediate tyres. We are pleased to support such an exciting race.”

“Today was a fascinating and thrilling race. Fascinating, because conditions were right on the cross-over between the dry and intermediate tyre for so many laps, and thrilling for the action this caused on track,” added Bridgestone director of Motorsport Tyre Development, Hirohide Hamashima. “Jenson Button drove intelligently to take his second win of the season by remaining on the soft tyre when many changed to intermediates, and making good use of his track position from there. There were many different approaches today. The soft compound worked very well in the damp conditions and we are happy with the performance of the intermediate. Both tyres required careful management and Formula One was gifted with a superb spectacle in Shanghai. Now the next challenge for many of our staff is finding a way back to Europe.”