Formula 1
Italian GP: Michelin preview
After a resounding success in Hungary a couple of weeks ago, Michelin and its Formula One partners are poised to rejoin the grand prix trail at Monza, Italy's celebrated temple of speed, for the 14th of this year's 16 world championship rounds. It ...
Published: Sep 12, 2003, 5:18 PM
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After a resounding success in Hungary a couple of weeks ago, Michelin and its Formula One partners are poised to rejoin the grand prix trail at Monza, Italy's celebrated temple of speed, for the 14th of this year's 16 world championship rounds. It is also the final European event of the campaign.
Michelin motorsport director Pierre Dupasquier is keen to underline the strength of the Clermont-Ferrand company's performance in the most recent race. He said: "Such a result was almost beyond our wildest dreams. Fernando Alonso and Renault spearheaded a magnificent display by Michelin's partner teams and our domination was absolute."
"As for the recent debate about tyre tread widths, we are happy to see that the FIA clarified the issue in its most recent statement by confirming the legality of our tyres and considers the matter closed. For us, our stance on the interpretation of rule 77c has not changed."
"Looking ahead to this weekend's Italian Grand Prix, I'm sure our main rival Ferrari will be a factor because its chassis characteristics suit circuits such as this. If the narrow front tyres they prefer are going to help them anywhere, it will be here at Monza!"
Technically speaking, with Pascal Vasselon (F1 programme manager)
May the force be with you
"At Monza teams tend to compromise cornering ability in order to generate higher speeds down the long straights. We have to bear this in mind when choosing tyres because we need our rubber to compensate a little for the lack of aerodynamic downforce - especially through ultra-quick corners such as the two Lesmos and the Parabolica, as well as the tight chicanes."
Born three
"Our dry-weather tyre options have been selected on the basis of results at the recent Monza tests. There will be three different types available."
Middle order
"The track layout at Monza generates high temperatures so we have to focus on minimising the risk of blistering. The tighter sections of the track don't place a great deal of strain on the rubber and would allow us to run a soft compound, but the loads imposed by the long, high-speed straights persuade us to select tyres from the medium part of our range."
Strategic options
"Last season a one-stop strategy was most effective here, but I think teams are more likely to pit twice this time. A stop costs less than 30 seconds and the fuel penalty is about 0.3 seconds per lap for every extra 10 kilos."
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