100th victory for Michelin

Fernando Alonso's (Renault F1 Team - Michelin) victory in Montreal today has given Michelin its 100th win in Formula One racing. This latest success, Michelin's seventh of the season, is the company's 41st since returning to the sport in 2001. During its first period of F1 involvement, between 1977 and 1984, Michelin scored 59 wins. All but seven of the 100 wins have been achieved in the face of opposition from at least one other tyre manufacturer.

"Our victory in Canada marks an important occasion for everyone at Michelin," said Michelin Group director Michel Rollier. "Our 130,000 mployees were deeply affected by the recent death of Edouard Michelin and this 100th F1 victory is the finest tribute that our motorsport department and, by association, the entire workforce, could dedicate to his memory."

Michelin motorsport director Fré déric Henry -Biabaud added: "It is obviously a great landmark to reach a century of Formula One world championship victories and I would like to pay tribute to all those at Michelin who have contributed to our success over the years.

"Simply making a goodtyre is not enough, because if you don't provide the proper service to your team to exploit its full potential, it is useless. You have to be able to provide your partners with a full package, so that they know exactly how to get the most from the products at their disposal. Whether they are working back at the factory in Clermont-Ferrand or performing on the frontline, at the racetrack, I believe Michelin's workforce delivers unparalleled back-up - and that is one of our core strengths."

Michelin's first win was scored by Carlos Reutemann (Ferrari) in Brazil 1978, while Alain Prost holds the "record" for the most Michelin wins with 16. Current world champion Fernando Alonso could still beat that before Michelin bows out of the Formula One arena at the end of 2006. All 14 of his F1 victories have been scored on Michelin tyres.