Tough race for Michelin

Giancarlo Fisichella was the leading Michelin finisher in today’s United States Grand Prix. The Italian drove a strong race to finish third, behind the Ferraris of Michael Schumacher and Felipe Massa.

It was a tough race for Michelin, which lost six of its leading cars as the result of a multiple accident at the first corner.

Nick Shorrock, Michelin Formula One Director “The tyres we brought this weekend were designed to give us a combination of durability and performance. We succeeded handsomely in the first part of our quest – witness David Coulthard’s 47-lap stint – but, for once, we fell short in the second. As always, though, we’ll learn lessons from what happened and put them into practice at future events."

“There have been a number of positives this weekend. The public enjoyed a good show and the atmosphere at Indianapolis has been fantastic since we first arrived. Despite losing six cars as a result of the first-lap pile-up, five Michelin drivers from four partner teams finished in the top eight – and I’d like to compliment Scuderia Toro Rosso on scoring its maiden championship point."

“Our immediate focus now is the forthcoming Jerez test, where we will be evaluating tyres for the French Grand Prix. Weekends like this serve as a spur to everybody at Michelin and I expect us to be back to our customarily competitive best at Magny-Cours.”

Pat Symonds, Renault Executive Engineering Director “A circuit as demanding as Indianapolis – particularly when track temperatures get into the fifties – requires a lot from the tyres. Michelin responded to this in a conscientious way and while we may not have won this weekend, we can still hold our heads high. Just like all of us at Renault, Michelin will be determined to bounce back strongly at their home race in Magny-Cours.”