The FIA and F1 chiefs on Tuesday ended months of hypothesis about who would win F1’s subsequent tyre contract from 2025 to 2027, with Pirelli being picked to extend its involvement in grand prix racing. 

The resolution got here after an in depth evaluation of the proposals from each the Italian firm and its solely different most important rival Bridgestone – which is known to have put a really robust case ahead. 

Until now, Bridgestone has been silent on its push to return to F1, having had its most up-to-date spell in grand prix from 1997 till 2010. 

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However, within the wake of Pirelli’s affirmation, Bridgestone has issued a press release outlining that, as a part of a push to bolster its motorsport actions, a return to F1 is in its sights. 

And it believes that some superior applied sciences that it has been growing for its street automotive merchandise could be good for grand prix racing. 

It mentioned: “As Bridgestone celebrates the sixtieth anniversary of its motorsport actions in 2023, the corporate continues to help sustainable international premium motorsport.  

“F1 is the world’s most prestigious international motorsport platform and Bridgestone has been learning F1 as one of many varied choices to help its sustainable international premium motorsports technique.  

“Bridgestone has sincerely and continuously been communicating with FIA and FOG [Formula One Group] regarding the next tyre tender period for F1 and proposed advanced innovative technology and sustainability initiatives.” 

The more than likely space of potential for Bridgestone would have been in taking its modern Enliten street tyre expertise and making use of it to F1. 

Bridgestone has been absent from F1 since 2010

Photo by: Sutton Images

The tyre building course of, which makes use of intensive recycled supplies, has helped produce street tyres which can be round 20% lighter than their earlier equal. 

This helps scale back rolling resistance, delivering improved gas mileage and might help with automotive dealing with too because the wheel’s mass is much less. It can be much more sustainable, as 63% of its parts are recycled and the merchandise are lighter to ship. 

Shuichi Ishibashi, Member of the Board, Global CEO and Representative Executive Officer at Bridgestone Corporation mentioned that whereas the corporate had not been profitable with its bid now, the suggestions it had bought from F1 and the FIA had inspired it in growing its expertise. 

“While Bridgestone will not be able to support F1 this time, the process received positive recognition from FIA and FOG and has reinforced the value being created by Bridgestone’s advanced innovative technology, including sustainability initiatives across the value chain and the ‘Ultimate Customisation’ of its new ENLITEN® technology, which can be changed based on the needs of different racing conditions,” he mentioned. 

“Likewise, Bridgestone will proceed to passionately push its expertise and innovation via the cellular lab and proving floor that motorsport presents, strengthening its pursuit of sustainable international premium motorsport actions.  

“Lastly, via motorsport, Bridgestone will attempt to attain its company dedication for ‘Emotion: Committed to inspiring pleasure and spreading pleasure to the world of mobility’ described in its Bridgestone E8 dedication.  

“Through its ongoing efforts, Bridgestone will drive greater passion for motorsport, earn emotion and empathy, and promote co-creation for sustainable future together with many partners.” 

F1’s newest Pirelli contract runs till 2027, with an choice for it to be prolonged into 2028. There have been recommendations that this would be the Italian firm’s remaining hurrah in F1 for some time, since it could really feel it has achieved its advertising and expertise ambitions because it returned to F1 in 2011. 

An exit of Pirelli in 2028 or 2029 would open the door for Bridgestone to as soon as once more put itself ahead.