Bridgestone, Microsoft Get Exclusive F1 Contracts
- Written by: RACER staff
- Paris, France – 7/5/2006
Bridgestone's monopoly should effectively happen already in '07, as Michelin is set to pull out of F1 by this season's end. (LAT Photo)
Bridgestone and Microsoft have been granted exclusive contracts to be the sole suppliers, of tires and ECUs respectively, of Formula 1 beginning in 2008.
The announcement was made following this Wednesday's meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council in Paris.
The move to a single tire supplier and standardized ECUs (Electronic Control Units, responsible for a car's engine management) is part of the FIA's radical cost-saving package announced earlier this year for introduction in '08. Both Bridgestone and Microsoft will supply F1 through 2010.
In the specific case of the Japanese tire company, its monopoly will go in effect already next year, as rivals Michelin are set to pull out of the sport by this season's end.
In addition, the WMSC also announced that due to a significant increase in cornering speeds in F1 this season, the sport's Technical Working Group will be consulted regarding possible measures to slow the cars down.
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