The FIA and F1 chiefs on Tuesday ended months of speculation about who would win F1’s next tyre contract from 2025 to 2027, with Pirelli being picked to extend its involvement in grand prix racing.
The decision came after a detailed assessment of the proposals from both the Italian company and its only other main rival Bridgestone – which is understood to have put a very strong case forward.
Until now, Bridgestone has been silent on its push to return to F1, having had its most recent spell in grand prix from 1997 until 2010.
Insight: Why tyre wars have largely become a thing of the past in motorsport
However, in the wake of Pirelli’s confirmation, Bridgestone has issued a statement outlining that, as part of a push to reinforce its motorsport activities, a return to F1 is in its sights.
And it believes that some advanced technologies that it has been developing for its road car products would be perfect for grand prix racing.
It said: “As Bridgestone celebrates the 60th anniversary of its motorsport activities in 2023, the company continues to support sustainable global premium motorsport.
“F1 is the world’s most prestigious global motorsport platform and Bridgestone has been studying F1 as one of the various options to support its sustainable global premium motorsports strategy.
“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 most likely area of potential for Bridgestone would have been in taking its innovative Enliten road tyre technology and applying it to F1.
Source: Autosport