French GP: Bridgestone race notes

Schumacher takes 5th world championship

Michael Schumacher's win at the French Grand Prix sealed a record-equalling 5th World Championship in record time. The Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro star is only the second man ever to take five world titles, an achievement he shares with legendary Argentine driver Juan Manuel Fangio, but he is the first driver of the modern era to have claimed the championship so early in the season. The win at the French Grand Prix is his 8th of the season, with just 11 rounds run so far, and he was on the podium at the three races he did not win giving a points total of 96.

The latest world championship is Schumacher's third in a row for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro; his previous two titles came with Benetton in 1994 and 1995. The latest era of Schumacher-Ferrari success has come since the team started its collaboration with Bridgestone in 1999.

Bridgestone can claim its part in nine world championships since entering Formula 1 in 1997.

Shigeo Watanabe - President, CEO and Chairman of the Board - Bridgestone Corporation

"This is a wonderful day for Michael Schumacher, Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro and Bridgestone, who together have proved to be a world-beating team. My thanks go to everyone involved, in particular Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo and Mr Jean Todt for their unerring support of our programme, and to our own staff both in Japan and the UK for their hard work and dedication. I would also like to take this opportunity to send my personal congratulations to Michael Schumacher on a record-equalling 5th World Drivers' Championship and for achieving this latest title earlier than any other driver in modern Formula 1.

"Bridgestone's success in Formula 1 is extremely important to the image of our company around the world as we strive to develop our technology. This was our motivation for entering Formula 1 and our inspiration for improving our products so that Bridgestone continues to be a market leader. The addition of another championship to our name strengthens Bridgestone's position as the world's leading tyre company."

Hiroshi Yasukawa - Director of Motorsport - Bridgestone Motorsport

"Many congratulations to Michael on his 5th world championship, which he sealed here today with his 8th win on Bridgestone tyres this season, and to everyone at Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro. The fact that the championship has been won in record time and at our competitor's home race is a bonus to what has been a magnificent year for our collaboration. Bridgestone's strong relationship with Scuderia Ferrari has developed over the past four years to the extent that, this year, our engineers have worked more closely with the team than ever before. I would like to thank my friend Jean Todt for his support for this technical collaboration that has included exchange visits by staff between Tokyo and Maranello. The sharing of vital information on both sides led to the development this year of a magnificent car, the F2002, with the best tyres which worked in harmony with the car.

"Added to this, of course, have been the driving talents of Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello, the technical talents of Ross Brawn and his team, and the skill and dedication of all our staff, at races and tests, at our technical centre in Japan and at our motorsport headquarters in England. This latest world title, which is Bridgestone's 9th in Formula 1, is a perfect example of teamwork. Our next target is to confirm the 2002 World Constructors' Championship for the Scuderia and Bridgestone."

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