Bridgestone taps McLaren Racing for new motorsports head
3 Feb 2025
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Hiroshi Imai to lead the new ‘motorsports organisation’ operating under chief technology officer
Tokyo – Bridgestone Corp. has appointed a McLaren Racing executive to lead its motorsports operations as part of a renewed effort to increase its presence in the racing arena.
Effective 1 March, Hiroshi Imai will join Bridgestone as EVP, taking over the responsibilities of the newly created ‘motorsports organisation’ for tire development and technology.
Operating under the supervision of the chief technology officer, the motorsports organisation aims to reinforce Bridgestone’s commitment to “sustainable global motorsports initiatives,” said the Japanese group 31 Jan.
Bridgestone said it planned to evolve this structure in line with the future growth and expansion of its motorsports activities.
Under the new management structure, the group will further accelerate its initiatives to a higher level, said Bridgestone which has been selected as the sole tire supplier for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship starting from the 2026-2027 season.
The core of the strategy will be sustainability, tapping into the group’s lightweight and circular material technology Enliten to build a "sustainable premium" brand.
With the move, Bridgestone aims to “accelerate the evolution of the Enliten technology,” which the group says can provide “ultimate customisation” and advance carbon neutrality.
Imai joined Bridgestone Group in 1990 after working on tire development for automotive manufacturers in Japan and Europe.
In 2003 he moved into motorsports tire development, including tires for Formula 1, and race operations.
He has been working with McLaren Racing since 2009 and has held various leading positions including principal engineer (tires), principal engineer (vehicle engineering), chief race engineer and most recently director of race engineering.
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