French GP: Michelin Saturday qualifying notes

ALONSO HEADS MICHELIN PACK AT MAGNY-COURS

Fernando Alonso (Renault/Michelin) was the fastest Michelin runner during qualifying for tomorrow's French Grand Prix. The Spaniard lapped in 1m 15.510s to secure third place on the grid as he prepares to secure his second consecutive Formula One success at Magny-Cours.

Five Michelin drivers from three partner teams will line up in the top 10. Kimi Räikkönen (McLaren Mercedes) was sixth ahead of Giancarlo Fisichella (Renault, seventh), Pedro de la Rosa (McLaren Mercedes, eighth) and David Coulthard (Red Bull Racing, 10th).

Nick Shorrock, Michelin Formula One director:

"It is obviously disappointing not to take pole position, but I am extremely encouraged by our prospects for the race. Our partner teams are using six different Michelin products this weekend and our long-run consistency has been very good."

"It is the first time this season that we have qualified in conditions that are almost identical to those we experienced during pre-race testing and that has given us a valuable database. That said, tyre evolution has not been quite what we expected."

"The wear rate usually diminishes as the weekend progresses, but it appears to be the same today as it was yesterday morning. We need to examine the reasons for that, but it doesn't dilute our confidence as we chase our 101st Formula One victory."

Pat Symonds, executive engineering director, Renault F1 Team:

"We came to Magny-Cours with a very aggressive strategy and one of our two tyres has shown itself to be extremely suitable for both qualifying and racing. We are experiencing very high track temperatures in the heat of the European summer and Turn Three is placing a very high demand on the front left. All the indications suggest, however, that we have a extremely good tyre for tomorrow's race."

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