End of the road for the unpopular grooved rubber
Fernando Alonso said he is happy that the sport will enter a new tyre era in 2009.

The Renault driver said the last two seasons, when Bridgestone was the sole supplier of grooved tyres, were difficult.

Next year, the Japanese supplier will still be the sole supplier, but for the first time since 1997, the dry specifications of tyre will be 'slicks'.

Alonso admitted in Madrid that he was not a fan of Bridgestone's control grooves.

"The cars had to be driven in a unique way," he said, "with more difficulties than ever."

"The tyres were sensitive under braking and offered little grip, and had a strange feeling in the curves."

"They were very different to the days when (Bridgestone) were competing with Michelin," added the former champion.

E.A, Source: GMM
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