Langley, 13 February 2004 - Bridgestone's teams have been out in force this
week at no fewer than three different test circuits
across Europe with all showing good progress. The Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro
team, in particular,
has been busy, running at both the Jerez de la Frontera and Mugello
circuits in Spain and Italy
respectively. And whilst the bulk of the development work has been carried
out by the F2003-GA
in Spain, it is the recent lap times of the new F2004, in Italy, that will
no doubt be drawing the
curiosity of rival teams.

Bridgestone Motorsport's Technical Manager, Hisao Suganuma said: "We
have seen some very
good lap times in Mugello this past week. It has been encouraging for the
strength of the Ferrari
car ­ Bridgestone tyre package."

The Sauber Petronas and Jordan Ford teams were also in action at the
4.428km Jerez circuit
with both conducting essential tyre programmes for Bridgestone. Mr Suganuma
was pleased with
their work.

"Our teams have been running tyre comparison tests this week and with
over 1,800 tyres and
approximately 20 specifications to try, they have had their work cut out
for them. But, we now
have a good indication of our basic tyre specification for Melbourne and we
still have next week to
make any small adjustments. So far, it is looking promising."

The European Minardi Cosworth team, meanwhile, has been testing its
                                                                          
new car , the PS04B, at
the Autodromo Santamonica in Misano, Italy. Said Suganuma: "Minardi
had a very productive test
in Misano. They were able to find good balance on the Bridgestone tyres
with their new chassis
and they should be able to further their progress in Imola next week, where
we are expecting the
latest development tyres from Japan."

All four Bridgestone teams will test at Imola, where they will resume
testing. Ferrari and Minardi
will both carry out two days of tests on 18th and 19th February whilst
Sauber and Jordan will start
a day earlier on the 17th February to complete three days of testing each.

Whilst the 4.933km Imola circuit does not necessarily bear much resemblance
to the Melbourne
circuit, nor are temperatures expected to be high, it does, however, share
similarities to the
compound range needed in Australia. Bridgestone's teams will be able to use
this test to confirm
their tyre choices for the first round of the 2004 season.

-bridgestone-


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