Bridgestone: McLaren's Loss will Not Hinder Progress

Japanese tyre manufacturer Bridgestone will not suffer from losing the McLaren team to rivals Michelin this season, according to the head of tyre development Hirohide Hamashima.

The McLaren team decided to switch to French manufacturer Michelin after finishing in second place to the Bridgestone-shod Ferrari squad in the last three Constructors' Championships. Now the Maranello-based outfit will be the only team who won races in 2001 to use Bridgestone rubber in the upcoming season, but Hamashima believes that will not be a disadvantage.

When asked if the absence of McLaren's input will make a significant difference in 2002, Hamashima replied, "No, because our other partner teams are making a big effort to compensate for any loss of mileage, data and information we would have had from McLaren. Everyone is working extremely hard in testing and there is a lot of work to get through but we are redoubling our efforts.

"It has been extremely helpful that some teams have concentrated some of their resources on tyre testing, both for us and them. It means we have more information to work with but it also gives the teams a chance to have a greater input in development which makes them stronger. I am not worried, they haven't been overloaded."

After winning four consecutive titles with McLaren and Ferrari, Hamashima claims that the targets for the season ahead will remain unchanged.

"Our mission is to continue that success in 2002 and beyond," he added. "We have a strong partnership with the reigning World Champions, Ferrari, but we want all our partner teams to win as many points as possible and they all have our support equally. Our target is simple: to win the World Championship for the fifth consecutive year."

Bridgestone will supply to five teams this season - Ferrari, Sauber, Jordan, BAR and Arrows - while Michelin will provide tyres to the other six squads.