22/07/2009
NEWS STORY
In a change to the original pre-season planned allocation, Bridgestone will bring the soft compound GP2 Series slick tyre to the sixth round of the championship which takes place at the Hungaroring circuit near Budapest, Hungary on July 24-26.
In 2008 Bridgestone's medium compound GP2 tyre was brought to Budapest. In the pre-season allocations, the super soft tyre was announced for Hungary - two steps softer than previously used. However, after evaluating the tyre data through the season so far the revision was made to switch to the soft tyre for this event and the teams were notified of this change earlier in the year.
The Hungaroring is the second slowest circuit on the GP2 calendar and a real challenge for the drivers, mainly due to limited opportunities for overtaking. With heavy braking required and high traction needed for the low speed corners, competitors face a challenge for how they can maximise the use of their tyres.
In 2008, Brazilian driver Lucas di Grassi (Campos) and Swiss driver Sebastien Buemi (Trust Team Arden) were both victorious at the Hungaroring.
Hirohide Hamashima - Director of Bridgestone Motorsport Tyre Development: "Budapest typically provides hot conditions, and with our one step softer strategy for the Hungaroring this year, tyre management and degradation will be the key issues for drivers to consider. As this circuit does not allow for much overtaking, qualifying is very important. The first corner is the only real opportunity to pass other competitors. Based on Bridgestone data from previous years, the super soft GP2 tyre could be used in Budapest, however, it is marginal. After considering the data from tyre usage so far this season we revised our original allocation, therefore the soft Bridgestone tyre is the allocated compound for this GP2 race weekend."