Regardless of the power of the engine and aerodynamics of the chassis, the potential speed of the car cannot be fully transmitted to the race track without tyres capable of delivering the requisite performance. In view of the immense loads experienced by the tyres, durability is another decisive consideration. Last season the BMW Sauber F1 Team raced with Bridgestone Potenza tyres. For 2008 the Japanese company is the sole tyre supplier in Formula One. With the demise of traction control as from this season, the demands made on tyres will change substantially. The expected increase in sliding will load the rubber commensurately. Bridgestone will provide teams with a choice of two (dry) tyre compounds per race weekend, with each driver being restricted to a maximum of seven sets of dry-specification tyres per grand prix weekend. In dry conditions both specifications must be utilised. In wet conditions, each driver will have access to a total of seven sets (four sets of "wet weather tyres", and three sets of "extreme weather tyres").
