Bridgestone has now officially become the MotoGP tire supplier with a contract for the next three years (2009-2011) after signing a deal with commercial rights holders Dorna Sports.
Bridgestone was the only company to submit a proposal when Michelin failed to tender a proposal to become MotoGP’s single tire supplier for 2009, giving the contract to Bridgestone by default.
“In these turbulent times of economic crisis, Bridgestone is delighted to be working positively with Dorna to make an exciting contribution to MotoGP,´ said Bridgestone Motorosport Director Hiroshi Yasukawa of the announcement.
`We are dedicated to our support of MotoGP and being chosen as the official tyre supplier shows the high regard in which we are held by the sport in which we have been involved since 2002.
Our participation in MotoGP is an important element of our position as the foremost tyre supplier in motorsport.
´ Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of MotoGP rights holders Dorna, added that `We are delighted to have secured Bridgestone as sole tyre supplier for all teams in the MotoGP class of the FIM World Championship for the next three years.
Bridgestone is a company with a fantastic reputation and they make an outstanding contribution to motorsport.
We strongly believe that this new agreement is very positive as it will simultaneously reduce costs and increase competition in MotoGP.
´Dorna has high hopes that the single tire rule will make for more exciting and closer races and that it will help reduce team costs, which has already started because the number of days dedicated to tire tests have been cut for the 2009 season and Bridgestone will probably also slow tire development.