TOKYO (Sept. 13, 2005) — Bridgestone Corp. will supply the Williams F1 Team with racing tires starting next year, renewing a supply relationship from the 1999 and 2000.
Bridgestone said it first supplied the Williams F1 Team with tires during a period of single tire supplier status, and “is now pleased to welcome back the team within an environment of competitive tire supply.”
Hiroshi Yasukawa, the Tokyo-based firm's director of motorsport, called Williams F1 “one of the most experienced and respected teams competing in the FIA Formula One World Championship and I would like to thank Sir Frank Williams for his faith in our technological capabilities. Since entering Formula 1 in 1997, Bridgestone Motorsport has supplied the winning Constructors' and Drivers' Champions no fewer than seven times and we now look forward to working closely with the WilliamsF1 Team to help them achieve their goals in the future.”
The supply agreement is multi-year, Bridgestone said, without disclosing specifics.
Williams F1 has used Michelin tires for the past five seasons, during which time Williams drivers have won 10 races.
Starting next year, Williams will use Cosworth engines.