F1technical.net

Back in 2009, we learnt that Bridgestone made a slight mistake when, due to the fact that in 2008 the front tyres already had reduced width, the 2009 tyres were more forward-biased in terms of grip after they merely filled up the grooves as the fronts gained relatively more grip. Then Bridgestone rectified this issue by them reducing the width of the fronts. However, the tread pattern on the wets since 2008 has remained unchanged, haven't they? Wouldn't this mean that relative to 2008, the wet fronts have less grip, while in 2009 the fronts have relatively the same grip as the 2008 wets?

Thanks

This may be right, but I think it was more to do with the balance of the car, so this years cars are much nicer when driving as the rear end of the car is more matched to the front in terms of grip.

Tetsuro Kobayashi of Bridgestone wrote: The decision to change from grooved to slick tyres ahead of the 2009 season meant that the front tyres gained proportionately more contact surface area in comparison to the rear tyres

IN THE DRY, with the missing grooves, where the fronts and the rears now have the same balance as in 2008, this is alright. However you have to remember that the wets have their own groove pattern, which has not changed. the 2009 wets would have had the same balance as the 2008 wets, and now that's shifted to understeer.

I was looking to find some information´s about it, and came across this:

>>>>>
The wet and intermediate tyres have no significant changes apart from the width of the front intermediate tyre, which will now be the same as the new dry front tyre.
<<<<<

http://www.bridgestonemotorsport.com/Br ... ations.htm

Does this mean the 2010 rain tyres are the same as the 2009 rain tyres?
Meaning they are actually wider?
This could/would explain something and make for
some interesting strategies / set-ups.
But maybe it´s not correct stated on the website.

I think there's no real way for us to know unless someone can produce the dimensions for the dry, wet, and intermediate tyres for 2009 and 2010.

for the dry front tires 2009 to 2010



http://media.paddocktalk.com/2010/album ... ompare.jpg

I could be possible, because of cost savings on Bridgestone´s side.
They would need to make new, smaller moulds for the full wet /rain tires.
AFAIK, the intermediate tires are slicks with cut in profil.
Sure the compound and maybe the construction is different, but you can produce them in the same mould as the slick tires.