Green Tyre Introduced For Japan

The latest gimmick in the FIA's "Make Cars Green" campaign comes from Bridgestone.

A new Green tyre will be used by all 10 teams at the Japanese GP. It isn't clear how the tyre is "green," minus its lovely green stripes. The Hard compound will feature 4 green stripes, and the Soft compound will have 3 green and the usual 1 white stripe.

The tyre was unveiled by championship leader, Lewis Hamilton, and championship chaser, Felipe Massa. Both drivers heavily support the green stance taken by the FIA.

At the launch Lewis said "Since it first launched [FIA campaign], I've been happy to help promote the very positive messages of the 'Make Cars Green' campaign. It is a subject that goes far beyond racing."

Massa added "As drivers in the public limelight, it is good that we can help spread these important environmental messages. Green technology is the future of Formula One and we can help ensure it will be the future on our roads as well."

Is this latest gimmick going to have any effect on the "Make Cars Green" campaign? 

At the last GP in Singapore, over 1,600 lighting projectors were used to light the track for the inaugural night race. So is releasing a new green tyre, a little contradictory?

Maybe, but anything which highlights the "Green" stance that the FIA has taken must surely be good. I just hope they don't take things too far, and ban the current V8 engines, which has been briefly discussed in another article.

I look forward to seeing these tires zooming around the track; they'll go very well with the Honda "Earth Dreams" car, but maybe not with the Ferrari or Mclaren.