Bridgestone to Debut New Asymmetric Rear Slick Tire at French GP

The forthcoming French Grand Prix, scheduled for May 15 at Le Mans, will see Bridgestone bringing its new asymmetric rear slick tire, featuring soft compound rubber in the right shoulder with extra soft compound in the left side. The debut was initially set for the the postponed Japanese Grand Prix, so Brisgestone is now using the slippery Le Mans circuit to offer a first look at its new softer compound rubber.

The smooth tarmac and low temperature make Le Mans is the least severe circuit of the year for tires which is why the soft and medium front and rear slicks have been selected by Bridgestone. Also, the weather here is unpredictable and though last year was dry, in recent years the race has been interrupted by rain so Bridgestone have selected the soft wets for the fourth time this year.

“We developed the extra soft compound at the end of last year and used it in Portugal and Valencia, but over the winter we have incorporated it into a soft compound asymmetric tyre which is totally new. It is designed to work when the conditions are colder to warm-up faster and provide riders with better feeling in the first stages of use,” stated Hirohide Hamashima – Assistant to Director, Motorsport Tyre Development Division.

“The circuit has quite a stop-and-go nature, although the last part of the lap is high speed. Lateral loads placed on the tyres are relatively low but good stability under braking is crucial, especially into turns three and nine which come at the end of the two straights. The circuit has an asymmetric layout that uses the right shoulders harder, hence our choice of asymmetric rear slicks,” Hamashima further explained.