Bridgestone to quit F1 after 2010 season

Bridgestone tyres / Copyright: Batchelor / xpb.cc

November 2, 2009 3:52 PM
Filed Under: F1

F1's sole supplier of tyres on Monday announced its decision to pull out of the sport after the 2010 season.

2010 marks the third year of Bridgestone's exclusive supply contract with formula one, and a media statement said the Bridgestone Corporation in Japan decided not to seek an extension.

A disappointed Hiroshi Yasukawa, boss of the company's motor racing programme, said the decision was about the redirection of "resources towards the further intensive development of innovative technologies and strategic products".

Bridgestone entered F1 in 1997 in competition with Goodyear, and later pitted its products against Michelin's.

It was the only supplier in 2007, then entering a contract to be the sole official supplier between 2008-2010.

Source: GMM

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Tags: Bridgestone

Comments

sideskraper

November 2, 2009 2:59 PM

this is the biggest news to hit f1 in a long long time.

Bristol411S3

November 2, 2009 4:24 PM

Not in my opinion. F1 has a history of tyre suppliers coming and going. If there's at least one company that wants the kudos it doesn't really matter who it is. Little doubt that Goodyear or Michelin will step in. Maybe even Pirelli. The association with F1 does a lot to enhance a company's reputation in high performance circles (pun intended).

sideskraper

November 2, 2009 4:39 PM

I think it will be tough to find someone willing to make the capital investment into F1 as a tire supplier right now without some serious incentives placed on the table.

Thunderkiss

November 2, 2009 4:22 PM

Maybe they can use retread tyres!

dmanero

November 2, 2009 4:47 PM

Be interesting to see what happens next year, giving such short notice to the compition to start to research and development on the new tires for each specific track.

migass

November 2, 2009 8:02 PM

hmm, no tires, no fUn!=)

nederina

November 2, 2009 8:34 PM

Like Shell, it can be a disadvantage to Ferrari judging their close relationship as their technical partner & branding, such etc

Ash

November 3, 2009 7:55 AM

Last week Bridgestone reported it will close and shutdown,sell off all manufacturing in Australia and New Zealand in 2010, how coincidental??, Bridgestone could be having financial issues?

madness

November 3, 2009 12:52 PM

Id say they're just TYRED of F1 hahaha, had to be sed...

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