Bridgestone Austrian and German GP Preview

July/ 19/ 1999 1999 AUSTRIAN AND GERMAN GRANDS PRIX - PREVIEW

THE FAST MOVERS OF FORMULA 1

With only seven days between the Grands Prix of Austria (July 25) and Germany (August 1), everyone involved in Formula 1 racing, including the Bridgestone personnel, faces the busiest period of the 1999 season. At least the logistical problems will be slightly eased for Bridgestone by the selection of the two tyre compounds on offer, which will be Soft and Medium at both venues.

"Average speeds at both the A1-Ring and Hockenheim were more than 200 km/h last year, although there are very few other similarities between the two circuits," says Yoshihiko Ichikawa, Technical Manager of Bridgestone Motorsport. "The teams which took part in the three-day test at Monza after the British Grand Prix were able to satisfy themselves about the reliability of our tyres, but they still have some work to do in practice at these two races before making the final choice of compound.

"With its smooth surface and varied corners, the A1-Ring does not present any particular problems," says Ichikawa. "I expect that some teams will want to take advantage of the slightly better grip and traction available on the Soft option, but to do so they will have to be able to control the tendency of their cars to understeer when the tyre is new and unscrubbed.

"Hockenheim is unique because of the sustained high speeds which can be reached on the long straights," says Ichikawa. "This does not present us with any concerns, although there is the possibility of some tyre degradation taking place in the tight infield section. Again, the teams will make the choice of tyre based on whatever they discover during practice."

Bridgestone will bring 2640 tyres to Austria and the same amount for the German Grand Prix. They will be divided between the two specs of dry tyre and two choices of wet tyre.