Rumor: Bridgestone bids to get F1 tire supply contract

(GMM) More reports have emerged indicating Pirelli may have competition in its bid to secure the next contract to remain Formula 1’s sole tire 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 tire maker is not interested in returning to F1 when the rules are most focused on ‘the show’.

However, on April 1, we reported rumors 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 rumors, 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.”

June 6, 2023

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Autosport is rumoring that Japanese tire manufacturer Bridgestone wants to return to F1 and has submitted a bid after the FIA opened up the F1, F2 and F3 tire tender process just recently.

Bridgestone last supplied tires to F1 in 2010.

Current tire supplier, Pirelli, has indicated they will bid again.

Former tire supplier Michelin announced they are not interested in bidding.