The day after the final race of 2009, Bridgestone announced that they will not be entering into a new agreement with the FIA to supply tyres beyond their current agreement which ends at the end of next season.
The statement by Bridgestone read:
Bridgestone to Cease Tire Supply to the FIA Formula One World Championship Tokyo (November 2nd, 2009)
Bridgestone Corporation (Bridgestone) today announced that it will not enter into a new tire 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 tires. In addition, its collaboration with F1 has contributed to increased brand awareness and the recognition of Bridgestone as a leader in the global tire 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.
Bridgestone to pull out at the end of the 2010 F1 season
Moderators: cmlean, Ed, The Qualiflyer, The Heretic
Statement from Hiroshi Yasukawa,
Director of Bridgestone Motorsport
It is with deep regret that Bridgestone Motorsport confirms that at 10.00am (Japan standard time) today, the Bridgestone Corporation announced its decision to not enter into a new tyre supply contract with the FIA Formula One World Championship series. The current contract is set to expire at the end of the 2010 season.
The decision made by the Board of Directors of Bridgestone comes after considerable and lengthy evaluations and has been based on the company’s need to redirect its resources towards the further intensive development of innovative technologies and strategic products.
While we understand and respect the reasons for this decision, it has nevertheless come as a great disappointment. Bridgestone’s relationship with the FIA Formula One World Championship stretches beyond being a tyre supplier. Formula One has been of strategic importance to Bridgestone in developing its technologies, raising the company’s brand awareness and providing its strategic business units around the globe with promotional and marketing tools that are intrinsically linked to our company’s core products.
It was a great honour for Bridgestone to be awarded the 2008-2010 contract as Official Tyre Supplier by the Fédération International de L’Automobile (FIA) to the pinnacle of single-seater racing and we would like to thank them for their continued support and for entrusting us with this privileged role which has seen us working at the heart of the Formula One community.
Our sincere appreciation is also extended to Mr Bernie Ecclestone and Formula One Management, the Formula One teams with whom it has been an honour to have worked alongside, and the many Formula One fans who have followed our activities over the past 13 years. I would also like to thank the staff of the Bridgestone Motorsport team for their professionalism, dedication and hard work, and for their passion for excellence.
It remains only to reiterate that Bridgestone continues to be wholly committed to the provision of safe tyres of the highest quality to the FIA Formula One World Championship in 2010 and to the running of its tyre servicing operation at the highest level.
Notes:
• Bridgestone has been participating in Formula 1 since 1997 and, including 2009, 10 drivers’ and 10 constructors’ championships have been won on Bridgestone Potenza tyres.
• In 2008 Bridgestone became the Official Tyre Supplier to the FIA Formula One World Championship, under a contract which currently extends until the end of the 2010 season.
• Despite its relatively short involvement in F1 of 223 grands prix in 13 years, 156 victories have been taken on Bridgestone’s Potenza Formula One tyres during this time.
• Bridgestone remains a partner and the sole tyre supplier to the GP2 Series and GP2 Asia Series.
• Bridgestone is also the Official Tyre Supplier to the MotoGP World Championship, confirmed until 2011
Director of Bridgestone Motorsport
It is with deep regret that Bridgestone Motorsport confirms that at 10.00am (Japan standard time) today, the Bridgestone Corporation announced its decision to not enter into a new tyre supply contract with the FIA Formula One World Championship series. The current contract is set to expire at the end of the 2010 season.
The decision made by the Board of Directors of Bridgestone comes after considerable and lengthy evaluations and has been based on the company’s need to redirect its resources towards the further intensive development of innovative technologies and strategic products.
While we understand and respect the reasons for this decision, it has nevertheless come as a great disappointment. Bridgestone’s relationship with the FIA Formula One World Championship stretches beyond being a tyre supplier. Formula One has been of strategic importance to Bridgestone in developing its technologies, raising the company’s brand awareness and providing its strategic business units around the globe with promotional and marketing tools that are intrinsically linked to our company’s core products.
It was a great honour for Bridgestone to be awarded the 2008-2010 contract as Official Tyre Supplier by the Fédération International de L’Automobile (FIA) to the pinnacle of single-seater racing and we would like to thank them for their continued support and for entrusting us with this privileged role which has seen us working at the heart of the Formula One community.
Our sincere appreciation is also extended to Mr Bernie Ecclestone and Formula One Management, the Formula One teams with whom it has been an honour to have worked alongside, and the many Formula One fans who have followed our activities over the past 13 years. I would also like to thank the staff of the Bridgestone Motorsport team for their professionalism, dedication and hard work, and for their passion for excellence.
It remains only to reiterate that Bridgestone continues to be wholly committed to the provision of safe tyres of the highest quality to the FIA Formula One World Championship in 2010 and to the running of its tyre servicing operation at the highest level.
Notes:
• Bridgestone has been participating in Formula 1 since 1997 and, including 2009, 10 drivers’ and 10 constructors’ championships have been won on Bridgestone Potenza tyres.
• In 2008 Bridgestone became the Official Tyre Supplier to the FIA Formula One World Championship, under a contract which currently extends until the end of the 2010 season.
• Despite its relatively short involvement in F1 of 223 grands prix in 13 years, 156 victories have been taken on Bridgestone’s Potenza Formula One tyres during this time.
• Bridgestone remains a partner and the sole tyre supplier to the GP2 Series and GP2 Asia Series.
• Bridgestone is also the Official Tyre Supplier to the MotoGP World Championship, confirmed until 2011