Bridgestone, a global leader in tyres and sustainable mobility solutions, has today announced the launch of the latest piece to its iconic ultra-high performance Potenza line-up: the Bridgestone Potenza Race. Created for track enthusiasts looking to perform and push their limits, the all-new Potenza Race is a semi-slick tyre homologated for public roads, but with performance focussed on track days.
Empowering motorsports lovers to be in control at speed, the new Bridgestone Potenza Race delivers the fastest lap time[1] and the best braking in the dry[2] – all ahead of main competing tyres – according to tests carried out by independent TÜV SÜD. Bridgestone’s new leading tyre provides the best control on track in dry conditions[1],[2] as well as outstanding longevity[3].
The result of decades of innovation and expertise in motorports
The latest addition to the Potenza range is the result of Bridgestone’s long history and expertise in motorsports and high performance. The now iconic Potenza range was born from Bridgestone’s time in Formula One racing, which saw the company supply tyres to Formula One teams from 1997 to 2010, including to the winner of six consecutive titles, Ferrari.
Benefitting from this heritage and the expertise gained during the development of Potenza Race original equipment tyres for the Lamborghini Huracán STO and Huracán Tecnica supercars, and the CUPRA Leon hot hatchback, the Potenza Race is Bridgestone’s first-ever dedicated replacement tyre for track days.
Pitched against the main competitors in its segment in this summer’s Auto Bild sportscars track day tyre test, the new Bridgestone Potenza Race outperformed them all to claim the outright win. Judges highlighted “almost perfect handling characteristics, performance that is close to the level of a slick tyre, precise steering, the ability to generate high levels of lateral forces, wide limits and endurance” as the reasons for its first place finish.[4]
‘Setting the bar for premium, ultra-high performance tyres’
The Bridgestone Potenza Race’s incredible performance is made possible by innovation in the tyre’s tread pattern, construction and material compound. The tyre has been designed based on the results of extensive market research led by Bridgestone, focusing on what circuit drivers expect from a ultra-high performance tyre.
The Potenza Race’s development was made shorter and more sustainable thanks to the use of Bridgestone’s groundbreaking Virtual Tyre Development technology. This enables a digital version of an in-development tyre to be created and tested, helping Bridgestone to predict how a tyre will perform in different conditions before physically building prototypes. As a result, Bridgestone can test far more variants in a virtual world. In the development phase, this sustainable approach leads to a saving of 33% of raw materials and CO2 emissions, while cutting 10,000 kilometres and 1.7 tonnes of CO2 from outdoor testing.[5]
Developed and manufactured in Europe, Bridgestone’s new Potenza Race is available in 13 popular sizes between 17 and 20 inches, supporting the hot hatchbacks and sportscars most commonly used on tracks.
