MotoGP – Moto GPs will no longer run on Bridgestone tires in 2016 –

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Moto GPs will no longer run on Bridgestone tires in 2016

MotoGP - Moto GPs will no longer run on Bridgestone tires in 2016 -

As Bridgestone’s contract as sole MotoGP supplier since 2009 expires, the Japanese manufacturer and the organizer of the Grand Prix (Dorna) have entered into new negotiations … from which it appears that Bridgestone is extending its collaboration until the end of 2015 before to return his apron !

With Bridgestone’s contract as the sole supplier of MotoGP since expiring, the Japanese manufacturer and the organizer of the Grand Prix (Dorna) have entered into new negotiations … from which it appears that Bridgestone is extending its collaboration until the end of 2015 before return her apron !

Change of strategy for Bridgestone

A new page of the Grands Prix will turn at the end of the next season, following the decision of Bridgestone to no longer be the official supplier of tires in MotoGP. Several factors explain this choice of the Japanese manufacturer: the high cost of this collaboration, but also the feeling of having reached the end of a project and the desire to change strategy..

Bridgestone’s presence in MotoGP

  • 2002: Debut in the premier class, 1st pole in Australia (Jeremy McWilliams)
  • 2003: first MotoGP podium in Brazil ()
  • 2004: first MotoGP victory in Brazil ()
  • 2007: first MotoGP world title ()
  • 2009: Bridgestone becomes the sole supplier of MotoGP ()
  • 2009: Stoner signs in Australia the MotoGP (read MNC of October 20, 2009)
  • 2012: Lorenzo clinches Bridgestone’s 100th MotoGP victory

"It is with a bit of sadness that we will be leaving MotoGP after having experienced so much prosperity in this sport," said Kyota Futami, general manager of the Motorsport department of the Bridgestone group..

"However, having achieved all the goals we set for ourselves when we entered this championship more than ten years ago, including winning these many MotoGP World Championships, our company believes the time has come to change strategy".

“We will continue to work with the teams and riders until next season and we will continue to invest in the MotoGP tire development program. We will continue to push the boundaries of development over the next two years to ensure that we will leave the championship at the end of 2015 in the best possible way ".

Beyond these statements, the tensions that have arisen between the tire maker, Dorna and the drivers in recent years are also at the origin of this decision..

Regularly criticized because of the lack of choice offered or of some of its technical directions, Bridgestone was squarely eared last year at Philipp Island following the debacle of .

The situation has not improved this season, with Lorenzo’s criticism of the new stiffer structure adopted without warning, and then the pronounced wear issues encountered at the. Forced once again to make amends, Bridgestone may have become annoyed and decided to end their collaboration…

Call for tenders to replace Bridgestone

Following the announcement of Bridgestone’s withdrawal, the organizer could be expected to consider reopening the market for the supply of MotoGP tires to several tire manufacturers, as in 2008 when Michelin, Bridgestone and Dunlop each put on their motorcycles. But it won’t be…

Dorna has already issued a call for tenders to all manufacturers interested "in the role of official MotoGP tire supplier". Which means that the premier class will continue to be "mono-rubber" in 2016.

In theory, this choice excludes the possibility of seeing Michelin come back to Grand Prix since the Clermont-Ferrand manufacturer has always refused to enter single-compound competitions (in F1 as in MotoGP), repeating over and over that only competition allowed to advance.

However, as we should never say never, let us be careful not to dismiss too quickly the candidacy of the Bibendum: the communications director of the French group, Pascal Couasnon, recently indicated that Michelin was considering a return to Formula 1, seven years after his departure, even if it would go through an exclusive supply…

"We have always said that the presence of a competitor interests us but we have evolved on one point: his non-presence, which was an obstacle in the past, is no longer. Today, we are ready to do so. go alone as long as there is a technical challenge, even in a mono-brand situation ", explained the French manager last summer to our colleagues at .

Dunlop could also be interested in a return to MotoGP, but this would imply a huge investment from the manufacturer belonging to the American group Good Year, already supplier of Moto2, Moto3 and the American Superbike championship..

Finally, there is Pirelli, the current sole supplier of Formula 1 and World Superbike, which could very well take advantage of the merger between MotoGP and the WSBK to establish itself a place of choice by fitting in the two main world motorcycle competitions..

The tire maker also has an image and a sporting culture that would go well with MotoGP’s "Premium" status and his skills are well established, as highlighted by the loop faster than Cruthlow’s last year in MotoGP. !

To follow naturally closely on MNC: stay connected !

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