'The results have been very productive' - Shorrock

The BMW Sauber F1 Team will be entering the season as one of six teams to use Michelin tyres. Nick Shorrock, Formula One Director of the tyre manufacturer, talks about the development of the tyres during the winter.

While developing the new tyres, Michelin particularly focused on the effects of the rule changes for the new season. Among other things, changing the tyres during races is allowed again. Additionally, the cars will enter the races with V8 engines.

"We evaluated a significant number of casings and compounds during our intensive winter test programme and learned a lot about the effect on tyres of the sport's latest rule changes," Shorrock reports. "We have established that the new V8 engines require a different driving technique, which impacts on tyre performance, but have addressed this and the results have been very productive."

That is why, despite the extensive rule changes, Shorrock looks toward the new season full of confidence. He says, "This weekend marks the dawn of a new F1 era. It's a step into the unknown for everybody, but Michelin has prepared with its traditional attention to detail. We expect fierce competition but, as history shows, we thrive on such challenges."