Bridgestone Happy with Performance

Only the six Bridgestone runners took place in the event after all the Michelin-shod cars pulled out of the race after the warm-up lap, leaving Ferrari's Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello alone in the fight for victory.

Jordan and Minardi were the only other teams racing.

Bridgestone Motorsport director Hiroshi Yasukawa, however, was happy to see his company enjoying a trouble-free race.

"A disappointing day for race fans and we fully understand their displeasure," said Yasukawa. "That aside, Bridgestone is pleased to have been able to provide our teams with a safe and suitable product for our teams this weekend.

"Our technical and support staff have worked hard with our teams to prepare for this race and I am pleased to see all our runners cross the finishing line safely.

"Obviously this afternoon's race was not run under normal circumstances but we now look ahead to returning to Europe where we expect to see a fully competitive field."

Technical manager Hisao Suganuma also expressed Bridgestone's delight after seeing the reduced field fighting hard.

"It would have been easy for our teams to have held back today, preserving their engines, but I am pleased to see them pushing themselves," he said.

"Naturally we are disappointed not to have been able to demonstrate our tyres within a fully competitive environment but I am pleased that Bridgestone has been able to meet the FIA's requirements."