Ecclestone, Todt, want Bridgestone to stay in F1
Hiroshi Yamada is the development boss for Bridgestone's MotoGP program.
He told Motosprint that while the marque is pulling out of F1, Bridgestone will probably stay in MotoGP beyond the end of its current contract at the end of 2011.
"Obviously we'd have more money to spend (on MotoGP), because the F1 budget is very high, but in my opinion we should stay in F1 too, because our image would lose a lot otherwise," said Yamada.
Michelin is touted to re-enter F1 in Bridgestone's wake next year, but the French marque wants at least one other supplier to compete with, as well as a move from 13-inch to 18-inch wheel rims in 2011.
McLaren's engineering director Paddy Lowe confirmed this week that the teams would back Michelin's push for low-profile wheels.
"Yes. I think all the teams have agreed that if Michelin would supply that as a condition then we would support that," he said.
03/12/10 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has vowed to try to convince Bridgestone to remain in formula one beyond 2010.
The Japanese marque has already decided to cease being the official tire supplier.
"We could certainly find a replacement," F1 chief executive Ecclestone told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, "but I hope that they will rethink their decision.
"We are working on it," the Briton added.
FIA president Jean Todt admitted in an interview with the New York Times that Bridgestone's decision to join the carmaker exodus was "a shock".
But the Frenchman said Bridgestone decided to quit because F1 is not seen to regard "sustainability, environment and climate change" as important.
"So, will they change their mind in light of what we are trying to implement? I don't know," added Todt.