[anachronix]

autosport.com - F1 News: Bridgestone to quit F1 after 2010

Sounds like a sarcastic thanks to Bernie & F1. I am doubting Bridgestone to be another victim of Bernie's greed!

Bridgestone will withdraw from Formula 1 at the end of the 2010 season.
The Japanese tyre manufacturer announced its decision not to renew its F1 contract early on Monday morning.

Bridgestone Motorsport director Hiroshi Yasukawa said in a statement: "The decision made by the board of directors comes after considerable and lengthy evaluations and has been based on the company's need to redirect its resources towards further intensive development of innovative technologies."

Bridgestone had been a tyre supplier in Formula 1 since 1997 and had been the sole supplier since the beginning of the 2008 season, following Michelin's departure, winning 156 of the 223 grands prix it entered.

"Our sincere appreciation is extended to Bernie Ecclestone and Formula One Management, the Formula 1 teams with whom it has been an honour to work alongside and the many F1 fans who have followed our activities over the past 13 years," added Yasukawa.

Bridgestone will continue in its role as partner and tyre supplier to the GP2 Series and GP2 Asia Series, and will also continue as the sole supplier in MotoGP until at least 2011.

[finneyp]

Any idea why Michelin quit in 2007?

[Nikhilb2008]

Michelin quit because from 2008, there was supposed to be a single tyre manufacturer. Michelin *might* have been selected over Bridgestone but the company claimed that it was in F1 for competition and being the sole supplier was not what it wanted and so it quit, thus making BS the only supplier.

Now if BS quit, I wonder who will replace them! Goodyear?

[McLaren Rulez]

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

Michelin quit because from 2008, there was supposed to be a single tyre manufacturer. Michelin *might* have been selected over Bridgestone but the company claimed that it was in F1 for competition and being the sole supplier was not what it wanted and so it quit, thus making BS the only supplier.

Now if BS quit, I wonder who will replace them! Goodyear?

I really dunno why they wanted the single tyre manufacturer thing. Competition was good and there was always the unpredictability regarding which tyre would be better suited to each cicuit. I hope they bring multiple tyre manufacturers back.

[nitrous]

Originally Posted by McLaren Rulez

I really dunno why they wanted the single tyre manufacturer thing.

Economy of Scale = Reducing Costs

[leadf00t]

Michelin gone, Bridgestone gone?

who can fill in to the Tyre manufacturer.
I doubt someone can manage to ramp up R&D in a year and take up the role if F1 management still want to keep just one manufacturer.

I think either Michelin will come back or BS might be requested to extend the contract for another for lack of options.

Wild guess what next? Goodyear Pirelli

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

Michelin quit because from 2008, there was supposed to be a single tyre manufacturer. Michelin *might* have been selected over Bridgestone but the company claimed that it was in F1 for competition and being the sole supplier was not what it wanted and so it quit, thus making BS the only supplier.

Now if BS quit, I wonder who will replace them! Goodyear?

Well that is not quiet the reason for it, Michelin quit stating that the rules of F1 change too often,and it is true.
F1 went from no limit on tyre changes in a race to a single tyre rule and then back again but with hard and soft combination to be used in a race as opposed to a single kind of tyre, and now they have introduced slicks again.

[McLaren Rulez]

Originally Posted by nitrous

Economy of Scale = Reducing Costs

If they keep thinking along those lines, we'll eventually have standard cars and only drivers and setups making any difference. Not in the spirit of F1 by any means.

Originally Posted by nitrous

Economy of Scale = Reducing Costs

Different tyres work differently on various circuits. So a Bridgestone tyre may work great at Abu Dhabi but a Michelin may not. FIA wanted to remove this difference in tyre performance, hence the single tyre rule.

Same is the reason why only Bridgestone is supplying tyres for motogp.

[recshenoy]

May be another Jap YOKOHAMA or Good year can replace the slot

F1 may even go back to Micheline

[cbr954rr]

I really would not be surprised if India, Korea or Chine enter the segment. Who knows. Kumho might be in in 2011.

Originally Posted by cbr954rr

I really would not be surprised if India, Korea or Chine enter the segment. Who knows. Kumho might be in in 2011.

Do you mean Indian, Chiniese & Korean 'tyre' manufacturers supply for F1 ?

[neel385]

That would be the day! Imagine - MRF the official F1 Tyres!!!

[KRf1]

Maybe Goodyear could make a return .

[Bhargava_sr]

F1 may extend their contract with BS, else Yoko could take the chance.