Yokohama becomes Formula 2 series' new tire supplier

By ,

Japanese tire manufacturer Yokohama has become the new official tire supplier for the FIA Formula 2 Championship.

Since its creation three years ago, the F2 cars of the Jonathan Palmer-run series have been shod on Avon tires.

F2 Chief Executive Jonathan Palmer and Kazu Sekiguchi, Head of Yokohama Motorsport. (Photo: James Bearne)

The new tires will offer improved stability and balance, yet without compromising on longevity, as well as aiding newcomers to better understand and easily fine-tune the car by offering more precise feedback.

As well as the Yokohama deal, F2 announced that its cars will feature carbon brakes this year in a bid to reduce weight and further increase performance.

According to series' officials, this forms a significant part of an upgrade package that will see the Williams JPH1B F2 car lap around two seconds faster than its 2011 equivalent.