Bridgestone Present Green – Literally – F1 Tyres

Following the addition of reflective painted strips on the company’s extreme-wet and super-soft tyres at the Singapore Formula One night race, Bridgestone has announced that its rubber at the Japanese Grand Prix in Fuji will contain green-painted grooves to show its support for the Make Tyres Green campaign.

Bridgestone’s CEO, Shoshi Arakawa told journalists that the company hoped “the Make Tyres Green tyre will draw public attention to the many environmental initiatives in and around Formula One.” Tetsuo Tanaka – the president of the Japan Automobile Federation – added that, “By aiding the development of eco-technology, Formula One can make a significant contribution towards the effort to reduce the CO2 from road traffic.”

Ferrari and McLaren’s drivers, who were at the launch alongside with their Make Tyres Green tyre-shod cars, were full of praise for the initiative. Felipe Massa said that it was good that drivers “in the public limelight” could promote the movement and that Formula One “should try to lead by example with energy efficient systems.” Lewis Hamilton added that, “the messages of the campaign help to show us that we can all choose to drive in a greener way… The new Make Cars Green tyre that all the teams will be running on in Fuji is a great way to promote the campaign and a real first for Formula One. The sport can also help in other ways, especially with the launch of new energy efficient technologies next season.”