The swinging fortunes of Japanese rivals Toyota and Honda in post-season testing so far suggests that formula one teams could be in for a difficult season in 2007 on Bridgestone’s new control tyres.
Toyota racers Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher logged competitive lap times at the initial Barcelona test, where Bridgestone supplied a hard compound. At Jerez last week, however, a softer tyre left the Cologne based squad notably struggling for grip.
“There is still a lack of grip at this track and with these tyres,” Schumacher said late last week, despite recently enthusing about the harder tyre.
In contrast, Honda – which unlike Toyota is switching from Michelin rubber – struggled initially at Barcelona, before Rubens Barrichello and James Rossiter emerged one-two on the unofficial time sheet last Friday with the softer tyre at Jerez.
“The car has felt better and more balanced this week than in Barcelona,” Barrichello confirmed.
GMMF1
DailyF1News.com
