Bridgestone readies MotoGP compounds for “technical” Jerez circuit

The Jerez circuit is the next to grace the MotoGP calendar, as Bridgestone moves to Spain after the season-opener in Qatar. Located near the southern Spanish city of Jerez de la Frontera, the Grand Prix is a classic event on the MotoGP calendar with huge crowds making the most of the Spanish sun to support their national heroes. It is also, in the words of Hirohide Hamashima – director, Bridgestone Motorsport Tyre Development – “a technical circuit with a mix of fast and slow corners. It is a good test circuit because of the diversity of the corner layout and this means that we require a tyre with a very balanced character to provide good handling from low speed to high and from flat corners to changes in elevation.”

“The layout doesn’t generate particularly high loads for the front tyre’s centre section, and the left and right shoulders are used equally so asymmetric rear slicks are not required here. The surface is smooth, meaning not bumpy, which is easier for the tyre’s centre section but the grain of the tarmac is abrasive.
 
“The track temperature during the race weekend is historically high, although the race this year is run one month earlier than in 2010, but coupled with the abrasive surface it adds to the challenge of durability and wear although Jerez is not the most severe from a tyre point of view. Last year tyre performance was good and Dani set the first of eight new lap records achieved last year, so we have selected the same tyres this time around.”

Hiroshi Yamada – manager, Bridgestone Motorsport Department continued: “Qatar gave us an idea of what to expect from this season, and based on what we saw there it will be a very hard-fought year of competition indeed, but it is still very early and there is scope for a lot to change in Jerez. Jorge and Dani had a spectacular battle for the lead in Spain last year and are both looking fast again, but Casey is also in his element at the moment so will be very fast too.

Valentino and the Ducati Team also look to be heading in the right direction and for sure are working very hard behind the scenes, and I am sure they will really reap the benefits of this soon. The atmosphere at what is the first European race of the season is always spectacular with over 260,000 fans coming to the circuit last year. I was unable to fly from Japan to Qatar for the first Grand Prix because of travel restrictions so I am looking forward to Jerez even more as my first race of the year.”

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