Bridgestone Disappointed with Failed Slick Tires' Test

Formula One teams didn't get to test the slick tires much this week, as the rainy weather at Algarve circuit prevented them from trying on the new compounds for the upcoming season. Although they got to test the new Bridgestone tires last year, most of the teams did so on the 2008-spec cars, with the sole exception of BMW (the only team that debuted a version of their 2009 challenger before Christmas).

With almost 2 months to go until the season opener in Australia, the teams are yet to get their drivers used to the slick tires, especially since the new car's behavior on track is totally different – due to the new aerodynamic package – from last year's machineries.

Bridgestone also received a blow because of the semi-failed testing sessions this week, as the Japanese tire manufacturer was unable to evaluate the condition of their slick tires ahead of the 2009 season. However, Bridgestone's technical manager Tetsuro Kobayashi insisted the teams will have plenty of time to test the tires in the remaining months to Australia.

“For Bridgestone we are confident that there will be sufficient testing for teams before the season starts to enable good, safe, racing. Of course, any test days lost means that teams have not been able to test their new cars and continue learning about our slick tires, however we will see several more tests before we visit Albert Park in Australia for the first race of the season,” said Kobayashi.

Ferrari, who pulled out from the Portimao group test, were not that lucky either, as the Scuderia “was blessed” with plenty of rain back home, at Mugello. Much like all the teams present in Portugal, Ferrari also concentrated their testing sessions on running the new KERS unit and trying out the new aerodynamic package for the upcoming season.

BMW Sauber were again the luckier team from the pack, as they ran the new cars in Valencia.