All the teams, except Arrows, tested on Bridgestone tyres at Suzuka today. Because Goodyear will leave Formula One Bridgestone believed it was a good idea to let all teams test with Bridgestone tyres to help them develop next years' car better. This will also give Bridgestone information with regards to the new spec front tyres, they will have one groove more than this year.

"The limited supply of tyres did not prevent us gathering some useful data from the cars taking part. In fact I can already say that we appear to be working in the right direction. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that there is a big reduction in lap times with the new four-groove front tyres,' said Bridgestone technical director, Hirohide Hamashima.

He also added: "With the obligation of supplying every competitor in Formula One with tyres next year very much in mind, we are delighted to have this early opportunity to work with so many teams and prepare for the future."

Michael Schumacher, who was second to David Coulthard, said: "After the first day, my impressions of the prototype tires are quite positive."

This test is also an opportunity for the drivers who switched teams like Ralf Schumacher to start working with them on the track right away. This was the first day of a two day session.

Driver          Team       Time      Laps
Coulthard       McLaren    1:41.296  80 
M. Schumacher   Ferrari    1:41.801  52 
Fisichella      Benetton   1:42.944  56 
Wurz            Benetton   1:42.549  46
R. Schumacher   Williams   1:42.823  48 
Hill            Jordan     1:43.505  51 
Alesi           Sauber     1:43.801  33 
Takagi          Tyrrell    1:44.015  58 
Trulli          Prost      1:44.162  48 
Barichello      Stewart    1:44.709  54 
Nakano          Minardi    1:44.888  49 
Frentzen        Jordan     1:46.471  8