Bridgestone Motorsport leaves Formula One

This race will be Bridgestone's 242nd since full time entry to Formula 1 at the start of the 1997 season. In
that time ten drivers and constructors championships, 174 wins and 167 pole positions have been
achieved so far using Bridgestone Potenza tyres.

Hiroshi Yasukawa - Director of Bridgestone Motorsport, says:
"We are proud to have participated in this wonderful sport for the past 14 years and I would like to thank
all our fellow participants and Formula 1 fans for embracing us and the Bridgestone brand in this period.
I can clearly remember our first Grand Prix in Australia in 1997 where we also saw the first
championship points achieved with our tyres. Since then there have been many more points, pole
positions and wins with exciting championship battles along the way and it has been hugely rewarding to
participate. Abu Dhabi is an appropriate location for our final Grand Prix as it represents the strength and
appeal of this fantastic sport with the superb Yas Marina circuit. The Middle East is an important area for
our business development and I think we will leave a lasting impression here. Although we are leaving
Formula 1 we retain our respect and appreciation for this great sport."