Goodyear rules out F1 return in 2017

Former F1 tyre supplier Goodyear is not bidding to be the sport’s official partner in 2017.

On the FIA’s June 17 application deadline, it emerged that former F1 supplier Michelin is joining Pirelli, the sport’s current partner, in bidding for the 2017-2019 contract.

But mere days ago, it was said that Goodyear, most recently in F1 in 1998 in competition with Bridgestone, was contemplating also joining in the new tender process.

It is believed that Bridgestone, a Japanese multinational involved in MotoGP and also (via the Firestone brand) Indycar, has ruled out bidding to re-enter F1.

And a spokesman for Goodyear Dunlop Motorsport Europe said on Wednesday: "We are proud of Goodyear’s heritage as the most successful tyre supplier in the history of formula one and our 368 grand prix victories.

"While we are not participating in the 2017 bid, we have not ruled out a return to F1 in the future," communications director James Bailey told Tyrepress.