Bridgestone's 'slick' operation in GP2

Bridgestone has been the sole tyre supplier to the GP2 Series since the championship's inaugural season in 2005. In its opening year the series ran on grooved dry tyres, Bridgestone and GP2 then making the move to slicks for the start of 2006. So why the change in tyres?

Bridgestone Potenza tyres Credit: Bridgestone Motorsport

When Bridgestone entered GP2 in 2005 the experienced tyre manufacturer was already producing and supplying grooved dry tyres to the FIA Formula One World Championship. It made sense to begin the relationship between Formula One and GP2 by introducing the same type of tyre to the feeder series for its opening year.

The GP2 Series was an instant success during its first season, proving it had the potential to become the ultimate training ground for future Formula One stars. Whilst the grooved tyres encouraged competitive racing, the GP2 Series organisers were keen to introduce slicks for the second year of the championship.

Bridgestone's Potenza racing slicks enhanced the challenge for GP2's competitors, with GP2 lap times improving by almost three seconds as a result of the change. With the slick tyres being grooveless they are able to provide maximum contact with the track, giving superior grip and traction in dry conditions relative to grooved tyres of the same size.

After three years of running GP2 on slicks, and after the vast experience and tyre data collected by Bridgestone's engineers from the feeder series, the re-introduction was announced of slick tyres to Formula One for the start of 2009.

This gave an advantage to GP2's young competitors who had already had the chance to learn the nature and basic characteristics of Bridgestone's slick tyres. With the refuelling ban also imposed on Formula One for 2010, the GP2 Series became even closer in format to the premier championship for which it provides so many talented drivers.

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