Tyre battle heating up: Bridgestone eyes Formula 1 return now
Jun.7 - More reports have emerged indicating Pirelli may have competition in its bid to secure the next contract to remain Formula 1's sole tyre supplier.
Earlier this year, the FIA launched the next tender process to cover the 2025, 2026, 2027 and possibly 2028 seasons.
"Obviously the decision is not in our hands," Pirelli's F1 boss Mario Isola said in April, "but we are happy with our presence in Formula 1 and we want to continue."
Around the same time, Michelin counted itself out of the running, with Group CEO Florent Menegaux insisting the French tyre maker is not interested in returning to F1 when the rules are most focused on 'the show'.
However, on April 1, we reported rumours that Bridgestone may be considering a comeback, having bowed out in 2010 - after which, Pirelli took over.
"It is said that Bridgestone is very interested in a return to the pinnacle of motor racing," German correspondent for Auto Motor und Sport, Andreas Haupt, said.
And Roger Benoit, the long-serving and highly respected correspondent for the Swiss newspaper Blick, reported on qualifying day at the Spanish GP last weekend that while "Pirelli wants to continue, Bridgestone is said to be planning a comeback".
Motorsport-total.com now reports that the Japanese company's motorsport manager Eiichi Suzuki has admitted Bridgestone is "always thinking about how to expand our motorsport activities in global categories, including Formula 1".
When asked by Sport1 to comment on the rumours, a spokesperson said: "Bridgestone has a heritage in motorsport spanning over 60 years and we will continue to pursue sustainable global motorsport activities.
"However, we refrain from commenting on specific categories."
✅ Check out more posts with related topics:
What caused the rules to be changed so that only one tyre manufacturer is permitted to provide tyres for F1 teams? Was it financial or technical? Or was it to magnify the "show"!
I think it was a better situation for tyre development when teams could choose their own tyre manufacturer, as they did in the distant past. It also gave more competition with different tyre manufacturers developing new compounds. Michelin used to make the best wet weather tyres for F1 back then! Sad that the false tinsel show image is driving Michelin away from F1.
I'm largely indifferent, so Pirelli or Bridgestone, I don't really care either way.
I don’t care whose rubber is on the cars, just make them use all three compounds for the race.
Dropping the two-compound minimum requirement altogether would be better than mandating all three compounds, i.e., three pit stops as a minimum, which would limit strategic flexibility even more than the two-compound minimum requirement.
Healthy competition can only improve the performance of the current supplier who seem to be lacking in development
Bring it on I say
I totally agree John B. Competition improves the quality of the tires, be it Pirelli or any other competitor.
Exactment, Susan! So why not have a number of tyre manufacturers providing tyres for F1! It would lead to more development and more competition. Why have only one manufacturer with no direct competition? Maybe it's whoever gives the fattest unmarked brown envelope under the table to the decision makers!
✅ Checkout the latest 50 F1 Fans comments.