Bridgestone’s intermediate-spec rubber outclassed Michelin’s wet tyres at the US Grand Prix… But the French firm plans to fight back by rolling out substantially-revised tyres at Suzuka.
Bridgestone’s intermediate-spec rubber outclassed Michelin’s wet tyres at the US Grand Prix… But the French firm plans to fight back by rolling out substantially-revised tyres at Suzuka – its Japanese competitor’s home track – this weekend.
“After consultation and tests with our five partner teams, we have selected one new construction and four different dry-weather compounds for Suzuka,” said Michelin F1 programme manager Pascal Vasselon. “Three of these have not previously been used in racing conditions. We’ll also have a new type of wet (weather tyre) available.”
It frequently rains at Suzuka in October and Michelin-shod McLaren and Williams cannot afford to lose out to Bridgestone-backed Ferrari on Sunday. In this last race of the year, McLaren’s Kimi Raikkonen is chasing the drivers’ title whilst Williams want to wrest the constructors’ prize from Ferrari.
“In my view, it’s a good thing to have plenty of hard work ahead of us, because it keeps us focused,” said Michelin motorsport director Pierre Dupasquier. “We are going to Suzuka to help the BMW Williams F1 Team in its fight for the constructors’ title and to see if Kimi Räikkönen can become F1’s youngest champion. You never know. Anything is possible until the chequered flag drops.”