IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard confirmed that the series is looking at other tire options in order to fill the place of Firestone Bridgestone when its contracts expire at the end of the 2014 season.
Although Firestone Racing would be eager to commit itself to the IZOD IndyCar Series until 2020, Bernard has already confirmed that a number of tire suppliers have already been approached or have submitted proposals to take over in 2015.
The Firestone brand has competed in every IndyCar Series race since the series was created in 1996, and it has been the sole tire supplier to the series since 2000.
According to reports, current Formula 1 tire supplier Pirelli, which wants to expand its American market, would seem to be a likely candidate along with Michelin.
What could also motivate the open-wheel series to look elsewhere is link with the Grand-Am/ALMS merger. Grand-Am uses spec tires from Continental, while the ALMS is overflowing with tire manufacturers.
Bernard was also quick to state that even if the IZOD IndyCar Series has been seeking and continues to seek a tire partnership for 2015 and beyond, current and historical tire supplier, Firestone continues to be a part of the consideration.
Although Firestone Racing would be eager to commit itself to the IZOD IndyCar Series until 2020, Bernard has already confirmed that a number of tire suppliers have already been approached or have submitted proposals to take over in 2015.
The Firestone brand has competed in every IndyCar Series race since the series was created in 1996, and it has been the sole tire supplier to the series since 2000.
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| Photo: IndyCar |
According to reports, current Formula 1 tire supplier Pirelli, which wants to expand its American market, would seem to be a likely candidate along with Michelin.
What could also motivate the open-wheel series to look elsewhere is link with the Grand-Am/ALMS merger. Grand-Am uses spec tires from Continental, while the ALMS is overflowing with tire manufacturers.
Bernard was also quick to state that even if the IZOD IndyCar Series has been seeking and continues to seek a tire partnership for 2015 and beyond, current and historical tire supplier, Firestone continues to be a part of the consideration.