Bridgestone happy with tyre performance
Fernando Alonso (Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro) won the opening round of the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship season in emphatic fashion after using a super soft - medium Bridgestone Potenza tyre strategy at the new longer configuration Sakhir circuit for the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Alonso led team-mate Felipe Massa across the line for a Ferrari 1-2, with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton taking third. The top three drivers were all on the same tyre strategy.
Hiroshi Yasukawa, Director of Bridgestone Motorsport, says “What a great way to start Bridgestone’s fourteenth season of Formula One racing, with great battles right to the chequered flag at the new layout of Sakhir circuit in Bahrain. Congratulations to Fernando Alonso for his win and Ferrari for their 1-2 today. Well done also to Lotus for running so well in their first race. The new regulations have given all teams a good challenge and provided all of the viewers around the world a very exciting first race of the season.”
Hirohide Hamashima, Bridgestone Director of Motorsport Tyre Development, says “Today we were very happy with tyre performance. This was the first race under these new regulations so no-one knew exactly what to expect. Sebastian Vettel did a great job to manage his super softs at the beginning of the race, making the same set he used for qualifying last the longest of all the front runners. Fernando Alonso drove a very intelligent race for his win, and he was able to set the fastest lap near the end, showing he had managed his tyres very well. It was great to see Felipe Massa back on the podium. Tyre management, as expected, was very important in this first race with no refuelling. The cars and drivers which were more forgiving to their tyres were rewarded with more durable performance. This was only the first of 19 races this season. I think we all have a lot to learn about this season’s best tyre strategies and it will be fascinating unlocking the secrets for the best performance in the races ahead.”
