Tyre shortage puts first test in doubt

Thu, 16 November 2006, 10:14

A spokeswoman for Formula One’s now sole tyre supplier has denied suggestions that the first test of the winter period may have to be called off or curtailed.

Despite announcing on Monday the signing of contracts with the six formerly Michelin shod teams, rumours this week hinted that Bridgestone was struggling to put together enough tyres for the three-day test scheduled for Barcelona at the end of this month.

Bridgestone only agreed recently to supply the extra test, after some outfits expressed concern that two Jerez sessions in December was not enough post-season running.

“All of our partners will have tyres (at the Barcelona test),” the Bridgestone spokeswoman reportedly told Auto Bild.

Speculation persists, however, that Bridgestone has not managed to construct enough development tyres in its proposed 2007 design to fully supply the November test.

Hinting that chiefly irrelevant 2006-specification tyres may therefore have to be used at Barcelona, an unnamed Bridgestone worker explained: “We were engaged for too long in the (2006) title fight.”

GMMF1
DailyF1News.com

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