Bridgestone to quit F1 next year

TOKYO: Japanese tire maker Bridgestone Corp said yesterday it would quit F1 next year, dealing a further blow to the sport after the recent withdrawal of other high-profile firms due to the global downturn.

Bridgestone said it would end its contract as the official tire supplier to the FIA, raising questions over who would replace it after French rival Michelin pulled out in 2006 and US maker Goodyear left in 1998. The move comes after Toyota Motor pulled out of hosting the Japanese Grand Prix, while Honda has sold its team as the companies struggled to fight off the global recession.

Bridgestone has supplied tires to F1 for 13 years and has been the exclusive supplier to the series since 2007.