JUNE 5, 2001
Ford's big new deal with Continental
The Continental deal will have no effect on the current deal between Jaguar Racing and Michelin, which is believed to run until the end of 2005. Continental had a short but impressive Formula 1 career, winning two World Championships in 1954 and 1955 with the Mercedes-Benz factory racing team. Founded in 1871, the fourth largest tiremaker in the world (behind Bridgestone-Firestone, Goodyear and Michelin) has been diversifying into other areas of automotive supply rather than try to compete head-to-head with the industry's three giants.