Grapevine: Bernie Censors Bridgestone

"The Challenge" is published monthly by Bridgestone Europe and covers all the racing series that Bridgestone are involved in - including MotoGP, Champ Car, GP2 and Formula One. Copies of the latest issue, appearing in different languages, are displayed on a stand at the entry to Bridgestone's hospitality motorhome in the F1 paddock.

The June edition of the magazine carries an overhead shot of Heikki Kovalainen's GP2 car, running across the magazine cover, something which Formula One commercial rights holder Ecclestone did not find appropriate for a display in the F1 paddock.

The F1 supremo saw the offense while walking by the motorhome, and he promptly suggested to the Bridgestone personnel that "it's best for you to take it down." All copies of the magazine were immediately removed.

"We saw the funny side of it," a Bridgestone spokesman told Autosport-Atlas, "but best do as Mr. Ecclestone recommends."

Ecclestone is a member of the GP2 organising committee, and earlier this year, he said upon the launch of the new series: "The idea behind GP2 was...to create a championship whose aim whould be to help drivers into Formula One."