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Bridgestone makes radical tyre selection for Hockenheim

Bridgestone will bring two vastly different compounds to Hockenheim © Sutton Images

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• German Grand Prix

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Bridgestone is taking a radical approach to next month's German Grand Prix in an attempt to spice up the show.

After extreme degradation and graining made for an exciting Canadian Grand Prix, many in the paddock suggested that softer tyres should be brought to each event.

The tyre allocations for the next two races are already set (super-soft and medium in Valencia and soft and hard at Silverstone), but Bridgestone announced on Monday that for Hockenheim next month, the compounds on offer will be vastly different.

Both compounds must be used at least once during a grand prix, and in Germany, it will bring the very softest compound known as the super-soft and the very hardest rubber known as the hard. It will be the first time there has been two hardness steps between the supplied compounds.

"The characteristics of the Hockenheim circuit allow us to bring the compounds from the extremes of our softness range," confirmed head of development Hirohide Hamashima. "This will give us very good data for evaluation and will be interesting for those who have called for a bigger difference between the allocated tyres."

He explained that a similar approach was not possible for the subsequent Hungarian, Belgian, Italian and Singapore rounds.

"The Hungaroring requires a softer allocation as finding grip is always a target there," Hamashima added. "Spa and Monza are high speed tests for cars and tyres, needing a harder allocation because of the heat durability requirements. Singapore is a high-speed street course where the softer allocation is suited."

Bridgestone said the compound allocation for the final five rounds of 2010 will be made later in the year.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.