With 2022 seeing the launch of the track day specific Bridgestone Potenza Race, the German publication Auto Bild have decided to see how the new Bridgestone fairs up against its key rivals in the segment, the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect, Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R, and Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport R.
As usual with Auto Bild tests they have been extremely thorough, not just testing the dry track performance of the tire, but also looking at long run wear, wet grip, and dry and wet braking performance of the track specific rubber.
Test setup & methodology
The test setting, the conditions recorded and how the results contribute to the score.
Recorded test conditions
Recorded test conditions
- Dry Braking
- 62.1 → 0.0 mph
- Wet Braking
- 62.1 → 0.0 mph
Auto Bild also included a road tire and slick tire as reference in all the tests. As the test was performed at Michelins proving ground in France in the popular 235/35 R19 size, it's fair to assume these would have been the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S and a Michelin slick.
One last thing to note, while the test vehicle was a Golf GTI CS, the Pirelli tire tested was the n0 (Porsche specific) version of the Trofeo R, which means it will likely differ from the aftermarket version of the tire.
Dry
Naturally in the dry, the slick was the best performing tire. Pirelli and Bridgestone were the fastest of the semi slicks, with the Pirelli offering a little more consistency across the three timed laps. The Michelin and Goodyear finished on a similar lap time, a little behind the Pirelli and Bridgestone. The testers enjoyed the steering response of the Bridgestone and Pirelli the most.
The long run tests, which were 10 laps at 80% again had the Bridgestone and Pirelli leading, with the Pirelli more consistent of the two tires. The Michelin was also very consistent, just a little slower, but the Goodyear started to understeer after just four laps.
Auto Bild noted that the Bridgestone and Pirelli were just about finished after the ten laps, whereas the Goodyear and Michelin were still good for another ten laps.
Dry Handling
Dry Handling Average Speed
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
RefReference Slick |
81.6 mph | +2.8 mph |
| 78.8 mph | Best | |
| 78.8 mph | Best | |
| 77.5 mph | -1.3 mph | |
| 77.4 mph | -1.4 mph | |
RefReference Summer |
76.2 mph | -2.6 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 6.6% (5.4 mph).
The Trofeo R had the edge in dry braking, stopping the Golf half a meter shorter than the Potenza Race. The Goodyear barely stopped the car shorter than the reference UHP summer tire.
Dry Braking
Dry braking in feet (62 - 0 mph)
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
RefReference Slick |
94 ft | -10 ft | 0 mph |
| 104 ft | Best | 0 mph | |
| 106 ft | +2 ft | 11 mph | |
| 108 ft | +4 ft | 15 mph | |
| 116 ft | +12 ft | 26 mph | |
RefReference Summer |
116 ft | +12 ft | 26 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 22.9% (22 ft ≈ 1.5 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport R would still be travelling at 26 mph when the Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R had stopped.
Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.
Wet
The Bridgestone was also fastest in the wet, but the testers noted it was only for experts. The fast lap came from the balance of the tire being oversteer primary, which makes you fast in a FWD vehicle, but it's very difficult to control.
The Cup 2 Connect was only a faction behind in time, but much easier to drive due to higher aquaplaning resistance, and the Pirelli and Goodyear struggled with high levels of aquaplaning making for a slow lap time.
Wet Handling
Wet Handling Average Speed
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
RefReference Summer |
54.1 mph | +0.2 mph |
| 53.9 mph | Best | |
| 52.6 mph | -1.3 mph | |
| 50.7 mph | -3.2 mph | |
| 49.7 mph | -4.2 mph | |
RefReference Slick |
25.9 mph | -28.0 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 52.1% (28.2 mph).
The Michelin had a significant lead in wet braking confirming that the Cup 2 is the most suited semi slick tire to every day driving.
Wet Braking
Wet braking in feet (62 - 0 mph)
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
RefReference Summer |
145 ft | -16 ft | 0 mph |
| 161 ft | Best | 0 mph | |
| 177 ft | +16 ft | 24 mph | |
| 188 ft | +27 ft | 30 mph | |
| 202 ft | +41 ft | 36 mph | |
RefReference Slick |
295 ft | +134 ft | 54 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 102.9% (150 ft ≈ 10.1 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport R would still be travelling at 36 mph when the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect had stopped.
Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.
Results
Bridgestone Potenza Race
235/35 R19 91Y XL
Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (4)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 2nd / 4 | 106 ft | +2 ft |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 1st / 4 | 78.8 mph | Best in this discipline |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 2nd / 4 | 177 ft | +16 ft |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 1st / 4 | 53.9 mph | Best in this discipline |
- EU Label
- D/B/67
- Weight
- 9.8 kgs
Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R
235/35 R19 91Y XL
Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (4)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 1st / 4 | 104 ft | Best in this discipline |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 1st / 4 | 78.8 mph | Best in this discipline |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 3rd / 4 | 188 ft | +27 ft |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 3rd / 4 | 50.7 mph | -3.2 mph |
- EU Label
- D/B/71
- Weight
- 9.6 kgs
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect
235/35 R19 91Y XL
Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (4)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 3rd / 4 | 108 ft | +4 ft |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 3rd / 4 | 77.5 mph | -1.3 mph |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 1st / 4 | 161 ft | Best in this discipline |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 2nd / 4 | 52.6 mph | -1.3 mph |
- EU Label
- D/C/70
- Weight
- 10.2 kgs
Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport R
235/35 R19 91Y XL
Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (4)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 4th / 4 | 116 ft | +12 ft |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 4th / 4 | 77.4 mph | -1.4 mph |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 4th / 4 | 202 ft | +41 ft |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 4th / 4 | 49.7 mph | -4.2 mph |
- EU Label
- D/B/72
- Weight
- 9.3 kgs
Grateful to be allowed onto this platform and hopefully learn new items
Nice review! I would like to know what about warm up (looking for street driving in not very warm temperatures)
And which one has the stiffer sidewall?
thank you very much
This wasn't our test so sadly we're not sure how each tire reacted to the warmup.
Ascenso tires are one of the best tire for all type vehicle.
That's not a brand I've heard of before, do you have any data I can see to backup that claim?
To be fair, there’s 2 different categories of tire tested here :
The Bridgestone and Pirelli are designed with the best lap time in mind, while the Michelin and Goodyear are designed to last the entire weekend :)
The Bridgestone Potanza Race and Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R compete with the Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport RS and the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R Connect.
That's not how Bridgestone sold the Potenza Race on launch! https://www.tire-reviews.co...