Excerpt: Bridgestone To Cease F1 Tyre Supply

Bridgestone Corporation today announced that it will not enter into a new tyre supply contract with the FIA Formula One World Championship (F1) series; the current contract is set to expire at the end of the 2010 season.

In addressing the impact of the continuing evolution of the business environment on its decision, the company focused on the need to redirect its resources towards the further intensive development of those innovative technologies and strategic products which support the company’s goals and further enhance the company’s reputation as a technology leader.

Over the years, the company has benefited directly from its involvement in Formula One racing. The lessons learned through Bridgestone’s successful participation have translated into innovations that can be applied to the design and manufacture of high performance tyres. In addition, its collaboration with F1 has contributed to increased brand awareness and the recognition of Bridgestone as a leader in the global tyre industry.

Having achieved these goals, Bridgestone is now poised to take its technological and brand building efforts to the next level. Bridgestone is committed to supporting F1 and the series’ teams through the completion of the 2010 season. The company also expressed its sincere appreciation and gratitude to the management of Formula One, the F1 teams and support staff, and the F1 fans around the world for their enthusiasm and support for Bridgestone over the last 13 years.

Source: http://www.bridgestonemotorsport.com/Bridg...hampionship.htm

 

^^^
That came out last week and no thread until now?! Thanks for starting it

I also that Perrelli already said it's not interested (I didn't pay attention as to if the teams and/or FIA have approached them in light of Bridgestone's announcement)... so maybe there won't F1 after 2010 because there's no rubber... they could try tyres from rocks like in Flintstone --- oh... Flintstone replacing Bridgestone, how appropriate!! ok ok... I have already gone nuts just less than 2 weeks without F1, not good!!!

 

Lets see how this plays out. I'm sure F1 will find another taker. Maybe Michelin will come back

 

I'm holding out for Falken!

Think of how bada$$ the Azenis would be after a season of supplying F1

 

Perhaps Kumho or Hankook? With a South Korean F1 race next year, could be a good launching platform for one of those two brands.

 

Tyre (automotive), the outer part of a wheel in British English (equivalent to tire in American English) <<<<for me mainly.


Maybe it's just a scare tactic?

 

I love to spell with "proper" English I have the rights to spell in both "US and "English" ways as a Canadian... and in British Columbia no less!

Anyway, rest assure that the F1 cars will have rubber tyres to run on... Anyone heard anything about chances of Good Year coming back?

 

if this does come to happen at the end of the 2010 season it will make the 2011 season a wild one. f1 has always been about the tyres/tires, putting down the grip. i hope there will be multiply suppliers. yeah let the koreans or whoever bring it. i miss the tire/tyre wars.

 

I like having multiple (anything >1 would be nice) tyre suppliers too

but go easy on such generic blanket statement please, I beg you and others who have done so like you

F1 has always been about a combination, a fine balance of many many factors: technologies and human (EDIT: this includes more than just the drivers... sadly also include politics) and nature (weather), etc.