Hungarian GP: Michelin Friday practice notes

MICHELIN DRIVERS ON TOP AS 20TH HUNGARIAN GP BLASTS OFF

Toyota/Michelin test driver Ricardo Zonta set the quickest time on the opening day of the Hungarian Grand Prix meeting at the Hungaroring, near Budapest. The Brazilian lapped the 4.381-kilometre (2.989-mile) track in 1m 20.409s, 0.110s quicker than McLaren- Mercedes/Michelin counterpart Alexander Wurz. The Austrian's team-mate Kimi Räikkönen was third overall and fastest of the regular drivers, on 1m 21.281s.

Jarno Trulli (Toyota, fourth) was swiftest of the remaining Michelin runners, ahead of Ralf Schumacher (Toyota, fifth), Juan Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes, sixth), runaway world championship leader Fernando Alonso (Renault, eighth), Jenson Button (B*A*R -Honda, ninth), Christian Klien (Red Bull Racing, 10th), Giancarlo Fisichella (Renault, 11th) and Nick Heidfeld (BMW WilliamsF1 Team, 12th).

Pierre Dupasquier, Michelin motorsport director:

"The track evolved significantly today in terms of lap times, but is in very good condition. We were able to obtain useful, consistent information throughout both sessions and completed an enormous number of laps with the two types of tyre we have available."

"As yet, neither compound has a clear advantage over the other. The 'option' was a little faster than the 'prime' over a single lap, but we need to analyse wear-rate characteristics very carefully before drivers make their final selection."

"Sunday's 70 -lap race promises to be quite gruelling, but the high track temperatures have caused no problems so far. This has been an extremely productive day. Even if differing fuel loads can present a slightly distorted image on a Friday, it is seems that Michelin's tyres are well suited to the conditions."

-michelin-