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Bridgestone still set to quit at end of season

ESPNF1 Staff
March 22, 2010 « Stefan GP ends Toyota partnership | »
Bridgestone's contract expires at the end of the season © Sutton Images
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Bridgestone is not expected to reconsider its decision to pull out of Formula One at the end of the 2010 season.

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone, FIA president Jean Todt and a number of team bosses had been pushing the Japanese company to stay. But Bridgestone has not initiated talks to renew its three-year contract as the sport's sole tyre supplier after 2010.

"I can confirm that our position has not changed," said a Bridgestone spokeswoman on Monday.

Despite new tyre suppliers needing significant lead-time to prepare for a season, the FIA has not yet instigated a new tender process as Ecclestone and Todt have still not given up trying to persuade Bridgestone to reconsider.

"We could certainly find a replacement," said Ecclestone, "but I hope that they will rethink their decision. We are working on it."

And Todt speculated that Bridgestone decided to quit because F1 is not seen to portray the ethos of "sustainability, environment and climate change."

"So, will they change their mind in light of what we are trying to implement? I don't know," said Todt.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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