The 2009 season has seen many new developments one of which is the return of slick tyres to the pinnacle of Motorsport after twelve years of grooved rubber. All drivers prefer racing on slicks however, for the two BMW Sauber racers, the difference between the two compounds supplied by Bridgestone is not always entirely positive.

Just like last year, Bridgestone takes two types of dry tyres to every race, but while last year’s tyre compounds - super soft, soft, medium and hard - were always directly adjacent with regard to hardness, this year’s prime and option tyres differ greatly.

"The most difficult thing about slicks is the fact that there is a big difference this year between the prime and option tyres that Bridgestone is supplying us with," Robert Kubica said on the team’s official website. "Sometimes a compound works really badly, but the rules specify that we must use it in the race. We try to run a very short stint with this type of tyre. Generally speaking, it is more fun driving on slicks. The front tyres in particular seem to provide more grip and move less, which allows the car to react more directly."

Meanwhile, teammate Nick Heidfeld is just as unenthusiastic about the great differences between the tyre options...

"I don't like the idea of taking inappropriate tyres and very different compounds, just to improve the show and thus consciously manufacture excitement. The only good thing is that this situation is just as bad for everyone.”