A Week into his Tenure Jean Todt’s First Crisis Hits Desk
New FIA president, Jean Todt, faced the first major crisis of his tenure when Bridgestone said it will be withdrawing as the official tire supplier for Formula One when its contract runs out at the end of 2010.
Hot on the heels of the withdrawal of BMW, who had their last race at Yas Marina, and following Honda out of the F1 |Circus, the news sounded alarm bells far and wide as it represented another defection from the sport and it’s perceived marketing value.
The decision was made by Bridgestone’s board after “lengthy evaluations” and has been based on the company’s need to “redirect its resources towards the further intensive development of innovative technologies and strategic products”.
Put into layman’s terms, vice Boardroom Speak, they see nothing in F1 that furthers or enhances their bottomline, a bottomline dependent on selling street tires not exotic race tires.
Bridgestone have been involved in Formula One since 1997 and, including 2009, has won 10 drivers’ and 10 constructors’ championships.
After embarrassment at Indianapolis in 2006, Michelin is unlikely to return, nor is Goodyear, but with South Korea joining the F1 calendar in 2010 it is possible that the Korean manufacturer Kumho may step up.
Obviously Jean Todt has some schmoozing to do in a corporate boardroom somewhere in the world, most likely in Asia.
It also raises a serious question: Odds are whoever signs on to supply tires after 2010 will be doing so with zero knowledge, no database to use in producing a safe and competitive race tire.
They would be stepping in cold and the chances of Goodyear, Bridgestone or Michelin sharing what they have learned in decades of F1 support are slim to none I’d guess.
Jean Todt, call your office, you have a problem.
OTHER NOTES:
As expected, Williams confirmed that Rubens Barrichello and Nico Hulkenberg will replace Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima as their drivers for 2010, when they will also switch from Toyota engines back to Cosworth.
Williams believe that the blend of Barrichello’s experience and Hulkenberg’s youthful vigor which won him the 2009 GP2 championship, will give them the impetus to succeed as cost-cutting measures start to favor efficient, independent teams.
Rumors to the contrary (maybe) Toyota looks to be remaining in the sport and after Kamui Kobayashi’s impressive two races in relief of injured Timo Glock seems to be on a fast track to inheriting one of the seats now held by Jarno Trulli and Glock.
The “maybe” stems from reports in Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport magazine, and the Independent newspaper in Britain both claiming Toyota is pulling the plug next week.
A couple notes on Bernie “The Gnome” Ecclestone, he seems to think F1 is primed for expansion to 20 grands prix.
Ah Huh, is that with, or without concessions made to keep Silverstone?
Or the Turkish GP for that matter?
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Crises # 2: Toyota quits. No big deal you say, Sauber will now take up the spot. But it bodes poorly for the sport in general.
Crisis 3, Renault pulls out after the “management meeting” in a few hours.
No guarantee for Sauber in 2010, Toyota are paying the staff until Feb & looking to sell the team, or do a management buyout ala Brawn-Honda.
Kubica must be nervous, if Renault pull out he could find himself back at the old BMW.
I agree Peter, both Toyota and Renault have the guaranteed grid spots due to their Concorde signatures. In a sellers market that would normally be an asset, but not in these economic times. Unless the FIA strips Toyota of their place due to contract noncompliance Sauber will be outside looking in until 2011, if the team can survive that long.