Hungarian GP: Bridgestone race notes

Points for Ralf Schumacher and Felipe Massa at Hungarian GP

This afternoon's Hungarian Grand Prix turned out to be one of the most exciting of the season with Jenson Button finally taking his debut F1 win. However, it was the races of Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso which held most people's attention today.

Both had a rollercoaster of a day with both looking like podium contenders at various stages of the safety car interrupted race. However, neither was destined to finish ensuring the championship title battles remain wide open with five races still to go this year.

All the Bridgestone runners started on standard wet tyres, with the exception of the Super Aguri cars who were on extreme wets, but it was not until the mid-race rain had ceased and the track started to dry up that they were able to capitalize on the operating window of the Bridgestone tyres.

Felipe Massa salvaged a point after switching to dry tyres and setting the fastest lap of the race and Panasonic Toyota Racing's Ralf Schumacher took three well earned points for crossing the line in sixth place.

Hisao Suganuma, Technical Manager of Bridgestone Motorsport:

"Today's race was a difficult one. It seems that our standard wet tyre is a bit too hard for this track and therefore in the early stages of the race the Bridgestone runners were slightly disadvantaged. As the track dried up however, they were able to pick up pace and Michael Schumacher did well to climb up to second."

"Unfortunately, a track-rod problem resulted in his retirement. The other Bridgestone runners also experienced better performance in the drying conditions but they simply lost too much time at the beginning of the race. It is now up to us to learn from this race and make sure we improve our tyre selection for the future."

"In the meantime, Toyota took three points today, Ferrari one point and the title challenge is still very open. We have five more races in which to push forward and try to gain ground."

Bridgestone Team News

Ross Brawn, Technical Director -- Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro:

"The first part of the race was very difficult because we weren't quite sure of our performance on the wet track. As the track dried it did start to come towards us and the safety car closed everything up, which gave us an opportunity. We then took a chance on trying to get to the end with the wet tyre and trying not to drop too many places. Unfortunately in one of the tussles Michael's track-rod broke."

"Felipe took a point however, which was welcome but obviously today was an opportunity we didn't take so we must regroup and make sure we fight back in the remainder of the season. It could have been worse today and we've got five races yet."

Pascal Vasselon, Senior General Manager Chassis -- Panasonic Toyota Racing:

"Obviously when the track was very wet we were lacking some grip today. But later in the race the standard wets were consistent and they allowed a smooth transition between wet and dry tyres, which were competitive. But for the next races we will have a lot of work to do on the wet tyre itself."

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