Formula One teams to run 'green' tyres at Fuji

Formula One racing will show its support for the FIA’s Make Cars Green campaign by running on unique green-grooved tyres at this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix. The sport’s official tyre supplier, Bridgestone, launched the specially-designed rubber at a ceremony in Tokyo on Wednesday.

Next season energy regenerating hybrid devices will be introduced to Formula One racing. This adoption of KERS technology is just one of a number of initiatives launched by the sport to improve its environmental credentials and, hopefully, help accelerate the use of fuel-efficient technology on public roads.

The Make Cars Green campaign aims to reduce the impact of motoring on the environment in a number of ways, such as through the promotion of fuel efficient driver behaviour; the introduction of new technologies to help motorists monitor their environmental impact; the improvement of tyre design to help save energy; and by encouraging the global use of unleaded and sulphur free fuels.

The softer of the two Bridgestone tyres used at Fuji this weekend will retain its central white groove as normal.