Spectators at this year’s Melbourne Grand Prix will have a new insight into Formula One race teams’ tyre strategy thanks to new rules for the 2007 season — if they can see it on a spinning tyre.
Under new regulations, Bridgestone, F1’s sole tyre supplier, must provide two specifications of dry weather tyres at each round, which must be distinguished by telltale white markings.
Bridgestone will select the two tyres from four dry weather compounds ranging from ”hard” to ”super soft”.
The markings — a 3cm-wide white dot on the sidewall of each tyre — will help fans keep track of which compound a particular driver is running on at any given time.
Early trials of the new markings, however, have indicated they may not be as easy to make out as hoped.
With new rules dictating that each driver use at least one set of each type of tyre compound during the race, organisers hope the dots will provide a crucial distinction.
Bridgestone emerged as F1’s only tyre supplier this year after French company Michelin ended its involvement after the 2006 season. – Sapa-AP