Bridgestone blows cover on Virgin’s F1 recycling spin

(GMM) A Bridgestone spokesman on Monday blew Virgin's cover about a F1 tire recycling scheme. Team sponsor Sir Richard Branson said during his visit to the Canadian grand prix that a new scheme demonstrates Virgin's "commitment to focusing upon the environmental impact of formula one".

He said a deal struck with Canadian-based company Carbon Green to recycle tires "is the first truly green and highly relevant deal in the history of the sport".

Elaborating, the British billionaire explained: "Old tires used by Timo Glock, Lucas di Grassi and co will be recycled into useful products."

But an astute fan asked Bridgestone's F1 press officer Andy Stobart via Twitter if Branson's comments were true, given that the tire supplier usually takes back its products from the teams at the end of a race weekend or test.

Stobart confirmed that the tires "definitely come back to us" because of the "confidential technology".

However, he added that Bridgestone's old tires are "used for fuel, a positive contribution to energy recovery".