Bridgestone have announced today that they, and MotoGP chiefs Dorna, have signed a new deal to keep the tyre supplier as the official tyre supplier to the series until 2014.
The new contract means that Bridgestone will continue to provide tyres as the championship enters the new era, with engine capacity changing next year from 800cc to 1000cc.
Speaking of the new deal, Mikio Masunaga, Vice President and Senior Officer Member of the Board Responsible for Motorsport for Bridgestone said, “I am proud that we are able to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to MotoGP by extending our participation as Official Tyre Supplier to the premier class with a new three-year deal. Bridgestone has a very rich heritage in the leading motorsport categories across the world, and MotoGP represents a significant part of this heritage.”
He continued, “I am encouraged that we can continue what has been a very successful relationship with the premier class of motorcycle road racing over the past nine years. I would like to thank the riders, the FIM, Dorna, the MSMA and IRTA for their support of us, in particular over the last two years as Official Tyre Supplier. MotoGP is a key global platform for Bridgestone both in carrying our brand and messages to an international audience and in enabling us to develop and prove our products and technical expertise on the world stage. I believe our involvement in MotoGP will enable us to continually improve the safety and performance of our consumer tyres.”
Carmelo Ezpeleta, the CEO of Dorna echoed Mikio Masunaga’s sentiments.
“I am very pleased that we can continue to work closely with Bridgestone for another three years after this season, and I would like to thank them for their continued commitment to MotoGP. Bridgestone has a great track record in all forms of motorsport, in particular MotoGP, and has done a great job since they were appointed the championship's first ever Official Tyre Supplier so we all know they are up to the task this season and over the following three years. Their ongoing commitment at this early point is important in allowing us all to plan for the future, especially for the teams as they are already underway with their development plans for next year and the new 1000cc era, and I believe it also demonstrates the value of MotoGP as a business platform.”
