FEBRUARY 13, 2001

Bridgestone make a change

AS Formula One builds up for a tire war, Bridgestone has changed one of its senior technical men, less than three weeks before the first race of the season.

"Hisao Suganuma has taken over the role of Technical Manager," confirmed a spokesman for the company on Tuesday. "He will be the new point of contact for the teams."

Suganuma takes over from Yoshihiko Ichikawa, who will work alongside the new man before relinquishing his position at the end of the month.

Bridgestone said that the move is a "normal rotation of staff" to allow Ichikawa to spend time with his family.

"Mr. Ichikawa will return to Japan to work in Bridgestone's technical center for F1 development," said the spokesperson. "He came to the UK in 1999, and he was based in England, but the engineers have a limited time here."

Suganuma joined Bridgestone in 1980 and has worked in Formula 2, DTM and Croup C categories of Motorsport.

Most recently he has been based in the UK, working as a Senior Engineer on the Formula One program, and has been promoted to his new position with immediate effect.