Malaysian GP: Bridgestone race notes

Barrichello Puts Bridgestone on the Podium

Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro driver Rubens Barrichello took a well-earned second place podium on his Bridgestone Potenza tyres in sweltering temperatures this afternoon. Reigning world champion Michael Schumacher showed his class taking points for sixth having clawed his way up the field after a first lap incident with Renault's Trulli. The clash resulted in the German first losing several places and then being penalised with a drive- through penalty. In all, six Bridgestone runners finished in the top ten with strong performances from both Lucky Strike B.A.R Honda driver Jenson Button, who crossed the line in seventh place, and Sauber Petronas driver Nick Heidfeld, who finished eighth. Heidfeld was unlucky not to have finished higher up the order having spent the early part of the race in third.

Hisao Suganuma - Technical Manager - Bridgestone Motorsport:

"Our tyres worked as expected today and I'm satisfied our tyres could cope with the strategies chosen by our teams. It was just unfortunate that an incident on the opening lap masked the real performance of the Ferraris. Both Michael and Rubens seemed able to push hard on the Bridgestones in these extreme conditions with Michael posting the fastest lap of the race, and it's good to take our first podium of the season. Jenson Button also put in a strong performance and it is now up to us to analyse the day's data so we can keep improving."

Ross Brawn - Technical Director - Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro:

"It was a very hot day and the tyres had to be looked after but they were fine. With all the events of the race, it just didn't work out for us."

Rubens Barrichello - Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro:

"The Bridgestone tyre was running fantastically well today."

Geoff Willis - Technical Director - Lucky Strike B.A.R Honda:

"By the race today we had got a much better balance on Jenson's car and it was good to be racing. We had a two-stop strategy, had no problems with the tyres and did quite well. The tyres looked fine and our thanks go to Bridgestone and everyone else for giving us our first points of the season."

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