MotoGP: Bridgestone, Aragon as Losail

The Aragon circuit is rather technical and fast, with a couple of long straights and has a relatively linear and slippery surface and for this reason the Japanese company has selected the slick tire options with soft and medium compounds for the rear, while for the The front opted for the medium and extra hard compound types, the same ones previously used in the Qatar Grand Prix. This choice depended on the location of the circuit, whose asphalt is made particularly abrasive by the sand that settles during the night, just as happens on the Losail circuit. The medium compound guarantees a good level of grip and performance, while the harder compound type offers greater durability and resistance to graining.

The track also has some downhill braking points that require good front end stability, and some riders may use the extra hard compound tire type for the advantage it offers in these areas. Under the new tire supply regulations, riders will have a third option of a slick front tire with a soft compound for use in the morning free practice sessions which take place in colder temperatures. Based on the data collected last year and the feedback received from the riders, it was therefore not necessary to review the tire options to be used compared to 2010, except by adding a third compound option for the front as required by the regulations.

Hiroshi Yamada – Head of Bridgestone Motorsport: “The Aragon circuit was totally new last year for the MotoGP and we had collected a lot of data and good feedback from the teams and riders. I'm happy to be back this season in an interesting Grand Prix for the title fight. Based on last year's experience, our tire selection work was easier and we are confident in the choice made."

Hirohide Hamashima – Assistant Development Manager Bridgestone Motorsport: “Last year the Motorland Aragon track represented a completely new challenge for everyone and we had carried out a careful analysis of the circuit and the type of asphalt to select optimal tire compounds. For this edition we have all the data available and based on the feedback collected we have decided to keep the selection of compounds unchanged, except for the additional soft one for the front. The circuit surface is relatively linear and slippery, similar to that of Misano Adriatico, so good grip is required. For this reason the softer compounds are ideal, but there are several long corners and some downhill braking points which require greater stability and therefore the use of the harder compounds. In the morning test sessions, rather cold temperatures are expected, so the warming performance of the tires will be important. It will be the first race since the change in tire allocation regulations introduced at the Czech Grand Prix where we may see a greater number of drivers using the third soft compound option in the morning sessions.”