Bridgestone has admitted that Ferrari’s lack of performance in Malaysia was at least partly attributable to inferior tyres. If Ferrari decides by tomorrow to race the F2005 in Bahrain, the tyre supplier will have time to prepare tyres specifically for the new car.
Bridgestone has admitted that Ferrari’s lack of performance in Malaysia was at least partly attributable to inferior tyres. If Ferrari decides by tomorrow to race the F2005 in Bahrain, the tyre supplier will have time to prepare tyres specifically for the new car.
CARtoday.com reported on Tuesday that Ferrari team boss Jean Todt had refused to blame its tyre supplier, Bridgestone, for the F2004 M’s lack of pace during the Malaysian Grand Prix.
However, Hirohide Hamashima, the technical director at Bridgestone Motorsport, later told . “Even if (Ferrari’s) entire package is important, this poor result can be attributed to our tyres. Our potential over a lap was not adequate. Moreover, the fact that Jarno Trulli and Fernando Alonso were much quicker than us in the race cannot be explained by the different fuel loads”.
Having tested the new F2005 for the first time at Mugello on Tuesday, Rubens Barrichello was confident that Ferrari would be able to swiftly make amends for their dismal start to the season.
“Days like these always give you a nice feeling when you drive a new car for the first time, especially when it’s a Ferrari,” the Brazilian said. “First impressions count and I am very happy with how it felt to drive the F2005. It is definitely quicker than the F2004M and represents a step forward in every area.”
Barrichello completed 95 laps of the Italian circuit on Tuesday, clocking a best time of 1:21.435. Michael Schumacher gets his turn to test the F2005 today (Wednesday).
