Up Next
Bridgestone is set to supply the fourth generation of Formula E tyres and make a return to world championship single-seater competition for the first time since its final year supplying Formula 1 in 2010.
The Race understands that the Japanese tyre manufacturer is the successful tender submitter and will shortly be announced as usurping Hankook which supplied tyres for the first season of Gen3 this year and will continue to do so until the end of the 2025/26 campaign.
Bridgestone launched a bid to return to F1 - its first stint started in 1997 and lasted until 2010 when it was replaced by current supplier Pirelli - but it was rejected as F1 stuck with Pirelli for another term.
But by winning Formula E's tender it will make its return to international single-seater racing after all.
The official Formula E tender sets out two specifications of tyre; "baseline” and “typhoon”. The tender details that the baseline tyres are grooved, all-weather tyres — as currently used in Formula E. The FIA specifies that baseline tyres “must guarantee sufficient grip to ensure safe racing in light rain”.
The typhoon tyres will be used specifically for racing in severe wet conditions. It also states that the “main performance target” of the typhoon tyres is to “guarantee safe driving in heavy rain”. The use of typhoon tyres is set to be “mandatory” in instances of heavy rainfall. What constitutes “heavy” and “light” rain will be a matter of distinction in deciding if drivers will use the baseline or typhoon tyres.
Formula E had looked to adopt slick tyres for the Gen4 era. But the tender makes no reference to slicks in its outline.
However it is believed that some flexibility still exists to look into the possibility of full slicks being used during the fourth iteration of the Formula E car.
The Race revealed last week that the Podium Advanced Technologies company is set to supply the spec batteries while the ever-present Spark Racing Technologies group is thought to still be its preferred chassis and spares supplier.
