Hungarian GP: Bridgestone Friday notes

Getting to grips with first day in Hungary

Bridgestone enjoyed a promising start to the Hungarian Grand Prix which got underway with free practice at the Hungaroring today. Back on track after the mid-August break, Bridgestone's drivers coped well with the notoriously difficult Friday conditions at a track which is used rarely and therefore is dirty and slippery on the first day of the grand prix. Michael Schumacher led the times overall with a fastest lap of 1:16.346, followed closely in both hour-long sessions by his team-mate Rubens Barrichello. Also in the top six after lunch were DHL Jordan Honda drivers Giancarlo Fisichella and Takuma Sato.

Bridgestone cars dominated the first session with Michael Schumacher fastest of all with a best lap time of 1:16.755. Drivers from all four of Bridgestone's teams competing this weekend occupied the top six places in the morning. OrangeArrows is not at the Hungaroring and will not take part in the grand prix.

Tyre Performance

Hisao Suganuma, technical manager of Bridgestone Motorsport:

"It looks like we had reasonable grip throughout the sessions with no apparent problems. We have to bear in mind that the track temperature today was much lower than we would expect at the Hungaroring, and the forecast is for hotter weather as the weekend progresses. Nevertheless, our performance so far looks promising."

The Tyre Choice

Both specifications Bridgestone has brought to Hungary have been raced before. Should the weather deteriorate, the rain tyre choice includes two intermediates and one full wet tyre.

Hisao Suganuma said: "It looks as if our primary specification suits the Hungaroring best but obviously we have to analyse and confirm the data from today before we make our recommendations to our teams."

The Teams

Ross Brawn, technical director of Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro:

"A messy session because the track was difficult. Several drivers, including ours, went off bringing more dirt on to the track which meant that every corner was different with each lap. Every time the drivers went out it seemed like we had a different car so it was difficult to make any progress. It is the same situation with the tyres - it is hard to judge which of the Bridgestones will be better for the race because the conditions today were so inconsistent. It helps that we know both specifications with regard to the race; we know which of the two tyres is a little more durable and which will help us if it is especially hot on Sunday, but we will still have to go through the data from today. Overall, we feel we will be very competitive this weekend."

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