APRIL 29, 1996

Goodyear pulls back

GOODYEAR is already pulling back its F1 involvement in preparation for the arrival in F1 of Bridgestone in 1997 - and the possibility that Michelin will soon follow suit and announce its intention to be in Grand Prix racing. The Akron company recently finalized tire supply deals until the end of 1998 with Williams, Ferrari and Sauber - but has not renewed contracts with McLaren and Benetton. The current arrangements with both of these teams finish at the end of this year. Work has already begun to develop more competitive compounds, with Williams having tested some new tires at the recent Jerez test - although the best times set were actually done on conventional rubber rather than with the development tires.

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