Bridgestone's wrap
Bridgestone Motorsport concluded its final winter test of 2005 today after a busy two weeks testing with all four of its teams for 2006: Scuderia Ferrari, MF1 Racing, Panasonic Toyota Racing and WilliamsF1.
Bridgestone Motorsport Test Operations Manager Kaz Hamamura is pleased with the progress made so far. "The recent tests have been very constructive. After using the Barcelona test to establish a baseline with our two new teams, we have been able to run all four teams on similar tyre programmes in Jerez. This has subsequently provided us with good, consistent data and given us a clearer picture of our future development direction. Our rear tyre development, for example, has been particularly interesting. After testing our new rear constructions in Bahrain with Ferrari we have now also been able to see how well those specifications have worked with the other teams. We are always looking for better grip and consistency and in all we have tested more than ten compounds and constructions. The tests have also highlighted new areas for future investigation.”
All four teams also conducted a wet tyre test at Jerez on Sunday 11 December. The aim of the test was to concentrate on the development of Bridgestone’s standard wet tyre with the teams evaluating both new compounds and new constructions.
Having amassed a substantial amount of data in the recent tests, Bridgestone’s engineers in Japan will now conduct further analysis at the Technical Centre in Kodaira, Tokyo over the Christmas period before producing the next set of development dry and wet tyre specifications for on-track testing in January.
Bridgestone’s winter test programme resumes after the Christmas holidays on January 10, 2006 at Jerez. Ferrari and Toyota will test for three and four days respectively. They will be joined on January 11 by the Williams team who will run for three days. MF1 Racing is expected to test at Silverstone between January 11-13. Toyota will return to Jerez the following week between January 17-19 and Williams between January 18-20. Ferrari and Toyota are then expected to test at Barcelona between January 24-27.
