Drivers will adapt says Theissen

By BMW Sauber F1 Team
January 25 2007

The switch to Bridgestone tyres requires all teams to adapt to new circumstances, and this applies particularly to the drivers. BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen is, however, certain Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica will master this change.

This comments come after Kubica expressed his fears that he might have to change his agressive driving style due to this change, especially with the hard compounds of the Bridgestone's.

Two manufacturers provided the teams with tyres during the 2006 season, and the BMW Sauber F1 Team competed on Michelin tyres that year. Now all drivers are required to enter the starting grid on Bridgestone tyres. However, not only drivers already able to gather experience with the Bridgestone tyres last year are at an advantage. "Drivers with a softer style of driving will be more satisfied with the tyres than, for instance, Robert or Fernando Alonso ", Theissen says. "But in the end a good and strong driver will always be able to adapt."

As mentioned before Robert Kubica is known for his hard style of driving and earlier this week commented: "It's true that you have to drive very smoothly and softly with these tyres. That did cause some problems in the beginning, particularly at the entrance to the corners. In other words, if nothing has changed in the car, you won't see me driving as aggressively as I did last year."