Montoya supports tyre rivalry

Having two tyre manufacturers in Formula One leads to more competition on the track and also a lot of variables in performance in different conditions. Bridgestone usually has the advantage in cooler or wetter climates, whereas Michelin fares better with the heat. Some think having only one manufacturer would make for a more level playing field, but Williams' Juan Pablo Montoya is happy with the way things are.

Juan Pablo Montoya.

Photo by Brousseau Photo.

"As soon as they go to one, we will start going three or four seconds a lap slower," said Montoya. "Because manufacturers don't want to have problems, so it's going to be a tyre that is more reliable and doesn't grain. I like it the way it is."

Montoya thinks the tyre war just makes things more interesting: "Maybe we can get the edge on our rivals in qualifying because of tyres, but maybe they will have the edge on us in the race, or maybe it depends on the temperature. There are a lot more factors and it just makes the racing more interesting."

Michelin did not enjoy the cool conditions in Melbourne, many of its teams suffering graining and a lack of grip with the tyres. But Malaysia should suit the French manufacturers' rubber better. Michelin has performed well at Sepang in the past, and while that doesn't guarantee the same again, it's encouraging.

"Our previous experience and record at Sepang make things a little easier and we are getting better all the time at analysing and correlating data from various circuits in Europe to prepare for conditions like those found in Malaysia," said Michelin's F1 programme manager Pascal Vasselon.