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Alonso Mocks Bridgestone for Ridiculous Tire Compound in China

As if there weren't enough controversies rolling around the F1 paddock, here's another one. The Grand Prix Drivers Association, through the voice of leading figure Fernando Alonso, revealed the drivers were not consulted by Bridgestone when deciding upon the two tire compounds available for the Chinese Grand Prix.

The Japanese tire manufacturer have opted for a super-soft compound as tire option for this weekend's race. As argued by the Renault driver, this compound will lead to time differences of up to 6 seconds per lap between the primary and optional tire choices, as the super-soft tires are not at all suited to the hard track at Shanghai.

“I think it is the worst decision they made in a long time, because it is a ridiculous tire for here, for Shanghai. I don't know if Bridgestone made the decision or the FIA, but they have to reconsider this type of decision because we look ridiculous on television and we look ridiculous for the spectators, and it is a joke to be in front of TV six seconds slower,” commented Alonso.

He continued by criticizing FIA's – Bridgestone's, for that matter – idea of desperately trying to spice up things and boost overtaking during the race. Alonso insisted that neither of the two compounds – hard or super-soft – are properly suited for this weekend's track.

“We will need to change the tires after five or six laps, is our calculation, because this track is harder than Melbourne and there we only did eight or nine laps. I think the super-soft on this type of circuit with long, high-speed corners... in Turn 1 it will be destroyed and in Turn 10 there will be no more left tire.”

“One will be too hard and one will be too soft. The right tire is at home! The soft tire is at home, and this happened in Australia as well. And the understanding that this is for a better show, for overtaking.”

“And if they want to be funny and mix the results and have overtaking, they can do a better job – a funny solution, maybe they can put us on the wet tires or something. Like this it looks more spectacular – the difference in the speed. I don't know...”

“Maybe we can pick up our number and then whoever picks up number 15 can put on wet tires, or whatever, and it is a better show and it's funny. Like this it is not funny,” concluded Alonso.
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