The economic climate which forms a backdrop to the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship is very different from the commercial landscape twelve months previous and this means changes for Bridgestone in Formula One.
“We face a very different economic climate to that at the start of last year, but Bridgestone are committed to Formula One and the benefits it brings us as a company,” says Hiroshi Yasukawa, Director of Bridgestone Motorsport.
“Bridgestone are always looking at the most effective and cost effective ways of participating in Formula One, whilst not sacrificing safety or performance, and this has always been true of our involvement.”
The major change for Bridgestone, the Official Tyre Supplier to all teams in Formula One, is that there will be no in-season testing this year. Whereas previously teams would test a number of times between races, in 2009 there will be no major tests until after the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
“This is a change for us as we used to supply tyres for tests throughout the year,” says Hirohide Hamashima, Director of Bridgestone Motorsport Tyre Development. “However, our status as the Official Tyre Supplier, working with all teams, means that from our perspective there is no detriment from this change as we are not consistently developing tyres, as we would be in times of competition.”
Last year major tests took place at Barcelona, Paul Ricard, Silverstone, Hockenheim, Jerez and Monza during the course of the season.
“There is a significant cost saving by not having these tests,” says Hamashima. “In terms of tyre production we will produce around 40,000 tyres in 2009 compared with 60,000 last year. This reduction comes through there being no in-season testing and a reduction in pre-season testing, as well as one less race and also through efficiency gains in our logistics.”
There is an impact on tyre development, as on track assessments cannot take place through the year. Any tyre changes and developments for 2010 will have to go through the majority of their on track assessment after the end of the season.
“Much of our tyre development is undertaken in Japan at our technical centre, through simulations using all of our data,” explains Hamashima. “Testing the tyres on track is very valuable, but we have already undertaken a lot of work.
“So, if we make any changes to the tyres for next year, we will make use of our computer simulations based on many years of motorsport activity, for any changes. In addition, we will be able to use a great deal of race data from this year’s season for evaluation and simulations.”
Bridgestone’s participation in Formula One must be seen in the context of Bridgestone Corporation, which employs over 133,500 people and sells products in more than 150 countries, with tyres providing the majority of its sales.
Despite the current worldwide economic difficulties, Bridgestone’s intention is to be committed to Formula One for the long term.
“Our involvement in Formula One is very beneficial for us,” says Yasukawa. “For example, on television, Formula One was seen by over 600 million people last year so Bridgestone’s association with the sport, not just as a sponsor, but as a participant, is seen and appreciated around the world.”
