Bridgestone: No U-turn on F1 exit
By Jonathan Noble
Thursday, March 18th 2010, 11:11 GMT

Formula 1 tyre supplier Bridgestone has played down talk that it is reconsidering its decision to quit the sport at the end of the year.

The Japanese company announced at the end of last year that it was to withdraw from F1 at the end of 2010, when its contract to supply tyres to the championship comes to an end.

Although there have been rumours in recent weeks that Bridgestone is being pushed to rethink its decision, and could agree a fresh contract under more favourable terms, the company has made it clear that its original stance stands.

Bridgestone's director of motorsport Hiroshi Yasukawa told AUTOSPORT: "Unfortunately our company has made the decision, and nothing has changed."

That decision means that the FIA will now likely have to open a tender process for the supply of tyres in the championship if it is to find a supplier for 2011.

Yasukawa said that Bridgestone would examine the tender process when it is opened, just in case there was anything on offer that may be attractive for the Japanese company.

"We are waiting for the result of the tender because without tender process we cannot do anything," he said.

When asked if there was a possibility of Bridgestone selling its tyre technology, Yasukawa explained: "Unfortunately at this stage I don't know.

"Our company has said that the FIA has to do a tender first, so we have to wait. But unfortunately our decision is that we are not extending our F1 contract."

Korean tyre manufacturers Hankook and Kumho have been strongly linked with replacing Bridgestone as F1's tyre supplier, although the FIA has not yet opened the tender process.

Michelin is closing in on a deal to return to Formula 1 next year, AUTOSPORT has learned, but it may not be as a standard tyre supplier.

Although no final decision has been made, sources have revealed that the French tyre manufacturer is in advanced negotiations with the FIA about the terms of a return for the first time since it quit at the end of 2006.

It is believed that an announcement confirming Michelin's comeback could be made as soon as this month.

Current standard tyre supplier Bridgestone is leaving F1 at the end of this season, with the Japanese company's board deciding that it does not benefit enough to justify its investment in the sport.

Although a replacement standard tyre supplier would require the FIA to go through an official tender process, it is believed there is a chance the governing body will simply open up the entry criteria to allow any qualified manufacturer in - reigniting an F1 tyre war.

Should Michelin give the green light to return, then it could be against other tyre manufacturers such as Hankook and Kumho who have also been linked with a move into F1.

Michelin's last spell in F1 was from 2001 until 2006 – when it enjoyed world title success with Renault but also endured its fair share of controversy, including being forced to withdraw from the 2005 United States Grand Prix on safety grounds.

Michelin was not interested in becoming the sole tyre supplier when the tender process was opened for 2008 – believing it vital that the company faced competition if it was to invest in F1.

Earlier this month Michelin's managing partner Jean-Dominique Senard told the Bloomberg news agency that the French company was open to a move back to F1 if the sport could prove its environmental credentials.

"We might consider returning but there are some very clear conditions," he said