Bridgestone Formula One

Bridgestone Corporation is a Japanese rubber conglomerate founded in 1931 by Shojiro Ishibashi in the city of Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan. The name Bridgestone comes from a literal translation and transposition of ishibashi, meaning "stone bridge" in Japanese. It is currently the largest tyre manufacturer in the world.

Bridgestone is currently ranked as the top company in the global tyre market, with Michelin second and Goodyear third. As of the end of 2005, production facilities belonging to the Bridgestone Group have increased to 141 spread throughout twenty-four nations of the world. In order to attain this level of globalization, the company established a new set of corporate policies in the year 2001. In continuation of this, company's Brand Vision was also established in 2003.

One of the major factors controlling the cornering speed of the cars is the design of the tyres. Tyres in Formula One are not 'slicks' (tyres with no tread pattern) as in most other circuit racing series. Each tyre has four large circumferential grooves on its surface designed to limit the cornering speed of the cars.

Formula One Rules On Tyre Use as of 2005: One set of tyres for both qualifying and race; replacements due to damage (must be as worn down as those already on the car). However, this rule was rescinded for the 2006 season, allowing tyre changes on each service stop.

From 2008 to 2010 Bridgestone will be the sole tyre supplier to the FIA Formula One World Championship. However, because Michelin chose to conclude its Formula One tyre program at the end of the 2006 season, all teams will use Bridgestone tyres for the 2007 season.

Bridgestone currently(2007), is a major sponsor to Ferrari, Williams, Toyota, McLaren, Super Aguri and Spyker (formerly Midland) Formula One teams. -- source www.wikipedia.org

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