Bernie Ecclestone has admitted he is keen on keeping Bridgestone in Formula One as the official tyre supplier.
In 2009 Bridgestone announced they would not renew their supply contract with F1 because the sport hadn’t been seen to be promoting sustainability and green technology.
In an interview with Germany’s auto-motor-und-sport.de Ecclestone said FOM (Formula One Management) were working on keeping the Japanese company involved in the sport past 2010, but admitted if they left, a replacement would be found.
“We would certainly find a replacement, but I hope Bridgestone would rethink this decision. We are working on it.”
Meanwhile, the FIA president Jean Todt admitted to the NY Times that it had come as a ‘shock’ to see Bridgestone quit the sport after a successful 14-year partnership.
“It was a shock. But again, among the biggest reasons why Bridgestone has stopped is because, they said, We are in a world where sustainability, environment and climate change are important, and it is not addressed in Formula One, so we are going to stop Formula One.
“So, will they change their mind in light of what we are trying to implement? I don’t know.”
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