Bridgestone previews GP2 at Magny-Cours

26/06/2007
NEWS STORY

The fourth round of the 2007 GP2 Series takes place at the French race circuit of Magny Cours on June 29th - July 1st at the same race meeting as the French Grand Prix. Twenty-six aspiring Formula One racers of tomorrow will have to come to grips with a circuit featuring a challenging diversity of corners, and different types of tarmac, to test the medium compound Bridgestone Potenza tyres.

After the single race of the Monaco round of the series, the French round returns to the two race format. A 41 lap race featuring a pit stop and compulsory change of at least two tyres takes place on the Saturday and a 28 lap race will take place on the Sunday.

The medium compound Potenza GP2 tyre was last used in Bahrain at the season opener where races were won by Luca Filippi (Super Nova) and Nicholas Lapierre (DAMS). Getting the best from the tyres is the deciding factor in sectors two and three of the 4.411 km track. Traction and stability are the crucial elements here, whilst sector one is more about maximising the Renault engine's power.

Timo Glock (iSport) has a healthy lead in the championship with 35 points, but his rivals are only a good result away from keeping him in check. There's a close battle for second in the championship with Luca Filippi (Super Nova) sitting on 21 points with joint third placed Bruno Senna (Arden) and Lucas di Grassi (ART) having 18 points each. French driver Nicolas Lapierre, driving for French squad DAMS in his home event, will be pushing for another race win to add to his victory in Bahrain.

Hirohide Hamashima - Director of Bridgestone Motorsport Tyre Development: "Magny Cours is a severe circuit for tyres so we will bring the medium compound Potenza for this event. Heat is especially difficult at this track because the tarmac is a very dark black, so it attracts the heat. The temperature changes a lot from morning to lunchtime too, so every team has to estimate the temperature and judge conditions from the morning. The high temperature affects the aerodynamics and also the tyre grip. It is a difficult circuit, one of the most difficult for setting the car up. The last corner and last chicane are particularly slippery and it is very difficult to control the car here. Additionally about two thirds of the circuit has been resurfaced and this should make it faster."

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Published: 26/06/2007
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