Bridgestone praises teams

New season, new tyres: in the first weks of December 2006, the Formula One teams subjected Bridgestone's new Potenza tyres to an extensive testing programme. Hisao Suganuma, the Japanese tyre manufacturer's Technical Director, is happy with the results achieved.

Ten Formula One teams - among them the BMW Sauber F1 Team - started their preparations for the forthcoming season with several tests in Spain. During these tests Nick Heidfeld, Robert Kubica, Sebastian Vettel and Timo Glock mainly focused on gathering their first experience with the new tyres.

The first three days of testing held at Barcelona were followed by two three-day tests at Jerez de la Frontera. The teams had to cope with changeable weather conditions in Southern Spain. However, the engineers were happy about the conditions as the wet track offered them the chance of testing Bridgestone's 'wet weather' and 'extreme wet weather' options.

"Our initial impressions of the first three winter tests are very positive and I would like to thank the teams for their cooperation and hard work in their efforts to learn about the new Bridgestone Potenza tyres," said Suganuma. "These tyres use a new construction and new compounds so all the teams have to start from the beginning. Overall, we are very pleased that we have been able to provide a consistent tyre whose wide operating window has enabled all the teams to use it."