Bridgestone explains visible tyre differentiation plans

Bridgestone has confirmed that it will make its two specifications of dry-weather race tyres visibly different from each other, after an eleventh hour change to this year’s Formula One Sporting Regulations.

According to the revised rules, “each tyre supplier must undertake to provide no more than two specifications of dry-weather tyre at each event, each of which must be of one homogenous compound and visibly distinguishable from one another when a car is on the track.”

With drivers having to use both compounds during each race, the differentiation of the tyres will allow fans to monitor the order in which teams are using their tyre compounds, adding an exciting additional element to the races.

“Although introduced at very short notice, Bridgestone welcomes the making of the tyre specifications visibly distinguishable from each other as it will now enable the media and public to further understand the strategies employed by the various teams and therefore potentially increase their enjoyment of each race,” said Kees van de Grint, Bridgestone Motorsport's Head of Track Engineering Operations.

According to the revised rules, each F1 team will be given the same two compounds to use in each race. Bridgestone is still assessing the best method for marking the tyres to differentiate the compounds.

“This will add to the work of Bridgestone’s tyre fitting staff”, said Van de Grint, “but we anticipate dealing with this swiftly and efficiently.”