Bridgestone prepares for the first MotoGP™ group test of 2015

Tuesday, February 3 2015

Bridgestone slick compounds available: Front: Medium & Hard. Rear: Soft, Medium (Asymmetric) & Medium (Symmetric)

Bridgestone wet tyre compounds available: Hard

The riders contesting this year’s MotoGP™ World Championship will get their first taste of Bridgestone’s 2015 specification tyres at Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit from February 4-6, as the world’s largest tyre maker embarks on its seventh season as the official tyre supplier to the series.

Like last year, the MotoGP regulations for 2015 provide concessions on rear tyre choice for manufacturers, depending on their class of entry, Factory or Open, and their recent record in dry races. Open class entrants, and Factory class manufacturers that did not win a race in dry conditions in the previous season, will have access to rear slick compounds that are one step softer than Factory class entrants that did record a win in dry conditions last year.

The table below details the rear slick tyre allocation available to each team for pre-season testing and races during the 2015 season.

For the first Sepang test, the softer rear slick allocation comprises the soft symmetric and medium asymmetric rear slick, while the harder rear slick allocation is the asymmetric medium and symmetric medium compound rears. The front options for all riders at Sepang will be the medium compound in addition to the new hard compound front slick which was first introduced at last October’s Malaysian Grand Prix. Bridgestone will use the data acquired in pre-season testing to modify its tyre allocation for the 2015 season to increase safety, usability and performance.

Twenty-five riders from eleven countries will contest the 2015 MotoGP™ World Championship; the highest number of riders since Bridgestone entered the premier class as a tyre supplier in 2002. In addition to supporting the group tests, Bridgestone Motorsport engineers will support all teams in their pre-season testing programmes before the championship gets underway at Qatar’s Losail International Circuit from March 26.

Hiroshi Yamada – Manager, Bridgestone Motorsport Department

“Just like the MotoGP manufacturers and teams, Bridgestone has been busy over the winter break as we’ve been developing new tyres for the riders to evaluate during the pre-season tests. In recent seasons we’ve focused on delivering tyres which are safer, more ‘user friendly’ and with superior levels of performance. In 2015 we will further build on these qualities to deliver our greatest ever racing tyres to the MotoGP World Championship. The Sepang tests are the first chance each season for MotoGP fans to see the riders out on track and, with the return of Aprilia and Suzuki to the series, as well as a host of talented riders entering the championship, I expect that the 2015 pre-season testing will be closely followed by racing fans around the world.”

Shinji Aoki – Manager, Bridgestone Motorsport Tyre Development Department

“Sepang is the traditional venue for the first two MotoGP pre-season tests, and given that weather is warm and mostly dry and the layout features a wide variety of corners, it really is an ideal place to evaluate tyres. It is evident from the Valencia test last year that the performance of the Open class machines in 2015 will be considerably greater than last year, and the tyre allocation we’ve brought to Sepang reflects this. Testing at a demanding circuit like Sepang will provide an even better indication of the respective performance levels of the 2015 Factory and Open class bikes, and the data we acquire here will help steer our development for the upcoming season. As always, our main priority for tyre development is enhancing the safety of the riders, however, I expect that the riders will find that our 2015 specification tyres also give better performance. I believe that this year’s MotoGP season will be the fastest yet.”