Bridgestone Rejects Favouritism Claims

Bridgestone has rejected allegations that, as the sole Formula One tyre supplier in 2007, they are not treating all teams equally. At a recent Tem Principals’ meeting in Monaco, it was suggested that while at least one team, speculated as being Ferrari, is receiving a free supply of tyres for the season, others are required to pay Bridgestone up to US$5 million (£2.5 million) for their’s.

Bridgestone does not appear prepared to be drawn into an argument regarding this issue. A spokesperson from the company stated that “Details of Bridgestone’s contracts of its teams are confidential”, adding that the tyremaker will supply tyres according to the rules set out by the FIA. It is understood that these rules permit Bridgestone to adopt individual commercial arrangements with its teams, with the company’s official role as supplier of free tyres to F1 teams not commencing until 2008.