Bridgestone end 14 years of tyre supply
Bridgestone’s final Formula 1 race saw an epic and exciting Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with Red Bull Racing’s Sebastian Vettel taking his fifth win of the season to become the youngest-ever Formula 1 world champion.
Vettel won by using a Bridgestone Potenza super soft – medium tyre strategy. He was joined on the podium by both Vodafone McLaren Mercedes drivers, 2008 champion Lewis Hamilton and outgoing champion, Jenson Button, also using the same strategy.
It was a thrilling conclusion to Bridgestone’s 14 year tenure in Formula 1. During this time, 11 drivers’ and constructors’ championships, 175 race wins, 170 fastest laps and 168 pole positions were achieved on the 700,000 Bridgestone Potenza Formula 1 tyres produced.
Hiroshi Yasukawa, Director of Bridgestone Motorsport:
“Congratulations to Sebastian Vettel for snatching the drivers’ championship in such a strong fashion today. This is our last race, but it comes at the end of a fantastic season where there has been a great championship battle as a fitting finale to all the drama and excitement we have enjoyed over the past 14 seasons. Our brand awareness has grown tremendously in this period and our worldwide sales companies have supported us with numerous activities and events. In addition to thanking all the Bridgestone personnel I would like to thank everyone in Formula 1 for all the friendships and support we have enjoyed over the years. Thank you also to all the Formula 1 and motorsport fans around the world, I hope you have enjoyed our passion for excellence.”
Hirohide Hamashima, Bridgestone Director of Motorsport Tyre Development:
“Today was a race where Bridgestone Potenza tyres allowed a variety of strategies, great tension and immense excitement right up to the chequered flag. It was appropriate that the driver with the most pole positions won the championship. Sebastian Vettel is a driver who often speaks to the Bridgestone engineers to understand how to get the most from our tyres and his ability has been highlighted many times this season, not least today. Both compounds performed well. Jenson showed that the super soft could be durable if managed well and Robert showed the value of the reverse strategy from the frontrunners. Formula 1 has been a worthwhile, valuable and satisfying project for Bridgestone and I would like to thank everyone who has been involved over the past 14 years. Thank you.”
