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For Michelin qualifying for
the 2003 Malaysian Grand Prix would see cars with their tyres occupy the
first two positions. Renault’s Fernando Alonso would secure the first pole
position of his F1 career. Behind Alonso comes his team-mate Jarno Trulli,
but it is not yet known what fuel strategy the Renault team is going to
use on Sunday.
 McLaren's
David Coulthard was fourth, ahead of team-mate Kimi Räikkönen in seventh,
Juan Pablo Montoya eighth. Montoya is expected to stop just once tomorrow:
his Williams appeared to be running with a particularly heavy fuel load.
The slowest qualifier for Michelin would be the second WilliamsF1 BMW of
Ralf Schumacher in seventeenth. Ralf has struggled all weekend to balance
his car. Despite the poor times that both WilliamsF1 drivers set they were
both confident of performing better come the race.
Pierre Dupasquier, Michelin
Motorsport Director, commented on various aspects regarding Michelin..
RENAULT BRIO:
Renault and Michelin have taken the first two places on the grid for
tomorrow’s Malaysian Grand Prix. Fernando Alonso – the first Spaniard to
qualify on pole position for a world championship F1 race – and Jarno
Trulli spearhead a strong Bibendum challenge: six Michelin cars will start
in the top 10. Alonso is the first Renault/Michelin driver to qualify on
pole position for a grand prix since Patrick Tambay (France 1984). Alain
Prost and Eddie Cheever were the last Renault/Michelin drivers to lock out
the front row of an F1 grid (France 1983).
FELICIDADES FERNANDO:
Fernando Alonso lines up on pole position for what will be only his 19th
grand prix start. His speed comes as no surprise, however, to Michelin
motorsport director Pierre Dupasquier. “We worked with him before,” he
said, “during his maiden F1 season at Minardi in 2001. With that and his
test programme at Renault last year we have come to know him well. I’m not
that surprised to see him at the front. He is an extraordinarily
determined young man – and a genuine talent.”
FEET ON THE GROUND:
Ralf Schumacher and Williams won this race for Michelin in 2002 and the
Clermont-Ferrand company’s tyres have performed well so far this weekend.
Pierre Dupasquier is not getting carried away, however. He said: “I’m
reserving judgement. We had no cars on the front row two weeks ago in
Melbourne, but still managed to finish 1-2-3 in the race. Under current
regulations the grid reflects different strategies more than the potential
of a particular car or driver. You can’t really be sure that you have done
a good job until the race finish. Only then does the true picture become
clear.”
LONG AND GRINDING ROAD:
Malaysia is one of the hottest, toughest races of the year – for drivers
and equipment alike. In the past it has traditionally been a one-stop race
– although two-stop strategies have been a viable alternative. The new
rules might bring more options into play tomorrow but, whatever tactics
teams choose, Pierre Dupasquier has no worries about Michelin’s ability to
stand the pace. “This weekend we have had no problems at all with wear
rate,” he said. “It would be a viable option for any of our partner teams
to stop just once tomorrow. Even on a heavy fuel load, our tyres will be
fast, consistent and durable.” |
