Japanese tyremaker Bridgestone Corp said on Monday it would quit Formula One next year, dealing a further blow to the sport after the recent withdrawal of other high-profile firms due to the global downturn.

Bridgestone said it would end its contract as the official tyre supplier to the FIA, raising questions over who would replace it after French rival Michelin pulled out in 2006 and US maker Goodyear left in 1998.