Bridgestone rules out the idea of returning to F1
The Japanese tire manufacturer, Bridgestone, present in Formula 1 between 1997 and 2010, has ruled out a possible return to the discipline, despite its name being mentioned as a replacement for Pirelli, which may withdraw its commitment as early as next season.
The tires are at the center of all discussions this season. Their excessive degradation is often criticized by drivers who are not all able to understand how their tires work and manage them optimally.
Pirelli’s contract with Formula 1 is ending at the end of this year, and speculation is rife about the name of the future manufacturer that will supply the discipline. While the Milanese company has not yet made its decision public, several names that could succeed it are often mentioned, such as the Korean Hankook or the Japanese Bridgestone.
The latter, however, has stated that he would not be interested in returning to Formula 1: “We currently have no plans to re-enter Formula 1,” a company spokesperson told our colleagues at Autosport.
« At the same time, Bridgestone successfully applied compound technologies, F1 tire design and simulation to the development of touring car tires. We can say that Bridgestone’s participation in F1 over 14 years has been very significant. In the current ever-changing business environment, Bridgestone emphasized the need to redirect its resources towards more intensive development of these technologies and innovative products and decided not to enter into a new tire supply contract after the expiration of the last one at the end of the 2010 season. »
Pirelli is reportedly still negotiating a commercial agreement with the FIA to continue its involvement in Formula 1 in 2014 and beyond.
