F1 teams to test new wet tire

(GMM) Bridgestone has developed a wet-weather formula one tire that it says could be used in all rainy conditions at grands prix.

Currently, the regulations require F1's official single tire supplier to offer two compounds of wet tires – 'standard' and 'extreme' – to teams.

However, inspired by its similar solution for the GP2 category, Bridgestone on Thursday revealed that a single wet tire – with an initially 'extreme'-style tread designed to wear down and become useable also in drier conditions – is in development.

Bridgestone intends to offer the tire for teams to trial at the next rain-affected F1 test.

"We have learnt a lot from our formula one wet tire development and our GP2 single wet tire is an interesting area of development," said the Japanese company's director of motor sport tire development, Hirohide Hamashima.

He explained that deploying the tire at grands prix would require a rules change.