Malaysian GP: Bridgestone Friday practice notes

Encouraging start for Bridgestone

Bridgestone Motorsport got its first glimpse of its new tyres in hot temperatures today and the results were impressive. Each of its four teams used the two one-hour practice sessions to try their two tyre specifications and Bridgestone's Technical Manager Hisao Suganuma pronounced himself quite satisfied with both the consistency and speed of the tyres that Bridgestone has brought to the 5.543km Malaysian Sepang circuit.

For Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello of the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro team, it was almost a repeat of Australia after posting the fastest two times in the first practice session. In fact, Schumacher was a full 1.533 seconds clear of his nearest non Bridgestone equipped rival. The second practice, meanwhile, saw a more balanced session as teams knuckled down to finalysing their car set-ups in race trim. Felipe Massa, in particular, of the Sauber Petronas team made good use of this session posting a pleasing seventh fastest time after lack of track time in the morning's session.

Hisao Suganuma, Technical Manager of Bridgestone Motorsport:

"Each team tried their two Bridgestone specifications today so they can make their Sunday race tyre choice and I was pleased to see some consistent performances - early analysis suggests that our teams should be able to use either of their specifications. Of course, we shall take a closer look this evening at the condition of the tyres after today's practices and then assist our teams in making a more informed decision.

Today was also an excellent opportunity to demonstrate how well our tyres performed over both long and short runs in these extreme temperatures. It was almost 50 degrees out there on track. Felipe Massa also made good use of his second practice session posting times up there with the top teams. Overall a good start to the weekend."

Ross Brawn, Technical Director of Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro:

"We got all the information we needed today to make our qualifying and race tyre choice and also did plenty of long runs in race trim with the two Bridgestone specifications. We'll look at the data tonight and make a decision."

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