Investigating the history of Formula Nippon and Bridgestone
Bridgestone has been supplying tyres to Formula Nippon, the premier racing category in Japan, since its inception in 1973. Since 1997 Bridgestone has been the sole tyre supplier to to the series and the knowledge gained has been critical to Bridgestone‘s racing history.
The series has gone from strength to strength since the change of name from F3000 to Formula Nippon in 1996. The level of competition comes close to F1, a fact borne out by the number of drivers who have graduated from the series into F1.
German driver Ralf Schumacher was the inaugural Formula Nippon champion while the most recent winner to progress to F1 was Ralf Firman, the 2003 champion who drove for Jordan in F1. The only F3000 race run by Michael Schumacher, who as a Bridgestone driver dominated F1 in recent years, took place in Japan.
Formula Nippon drivers progress to F1
Japanese drivers Satoru Nakajima, Aguri Suzuki, Ukyo Katayama, Shinji Nakano and Toranosuke Takagi have all gone on to race in F1 from Formula 3000/Nippon.
Bridgestone’s support for the series has in recent years seen an F1-style hospitality tent erected at each race to serve customers, the press and the general public.
In 2003, Fuji Speedway and a major sports club combined to offer elementary school students an opportunity to see and tour a motor racing event with Bridgestone engineers giving the children an introduction to Formula Nippon racing tyres.
As a one-make tyre supplier, Bridgestone provided three types of dry and one type of wet tyre in 2003. Dry slick tyres were available in hard, standard and soft specs for various track surface temperatures and conditions.
Formula Nippon regulation changes have impact on tyre strategy
The series moved in 2003 to a one-make Lola chassis system with the distance of races lengthened and fuel refills permitted while the obligatory tyre change regulation of the previous season was abolished. These changes made the teams' use of tyres a more important strategic concern and the series unfolded in thrilling fashion.
In 2005 Japan’s Satoshi Motoyama regained the title he won in 2003 having finished sixth in the intervening year.
Until 2005, Formula Nippon engines had been solely supplied by Japanese manufacturer Mugen. The stakes were raised however in 2006 when Toyota and Honda entered the arena, showcasing their technology in Japans most famous racing series and providing an exciting season of competition. Benoit Treluyer, sporting a Toyota engine, managed to clinch the 2006 series, taking home his first championship title.
Twenty-two drivers from twelve teams participated in the 2007 Formula Nippon Championship, with Team Impul driver Tsugio Matsuda claiming the series title. 2008 saw a reduction in the number of teams and drivers participating with twenty drivers and eleven teams. Reigning champion, Matsuda set a new Formula Nippon Series record by claiming six consecutive pole positions. Matsuda also won four races in the 2008 season and claimed his second consecutive title.