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Rain hit the opening
Formula One qualifying session for a second consecutive grand prix, but
drivers had to cope only with light drizzle and track conditions remained
fairly consistent. Running first on the road proved to be no disadvantage
for world champion Michael Schumacher (Ferrari), whose 1m 19.474s lap put
him 0.275s clear of closest challenger Juan Pablo Montoya (BMW WilliamsF1
Team/Michelin).
Michelin drivers set the top three times during this morning's free
practice session and Montoya was followed by a clutch of Michelin drivers,
including Ralf Schumacher (BMW WilliamsF1 Team, third), Fernando Alonso
(Renault, fourth), Olivier Panis (Toyota, fifth), Jarno Trulli (Renault,
sixth), David Coulthard (McLaren-Mercedes, seventh), Mark Webber (Jaguar,
eighth), Cristiano da Matta (Toyota, 10th) and Antonio Pizzonia (Jaguar,
11th). This weekend the Jaguar R4s of Webber and Pizzonia are carrying
sponsorship from Terminator 3, Arnold Schwarzenegger's latest movie.
McLaren's leading world title contender Kimi Räikkönen had a torrid time,
by his own high standards. He ran wide exiting Becketts and then lost more
time when he made a mistake a Stowe. As a result the Finn was only 12th.
It was also a difficult session for Schumacher's team-mate Rubens
Barrichello. The Brazilian slithered off the road at Brooklands and became
bogged down in a gravel trap. Officials briefly red-flagged the session so
that his car could be retrieved. English man Justin Wilson (Minardi) also
failed to post a time. His car broke down shortly after he left the pits.
Pierre Dupasquier, Michelin Motorsport Director, discussed various topics.
MICHELIN MAKES BRIGHT START ON GREY DAY
Michelin made a confident start to its British Grand Prix weekend. Its
cars set the fastest three times during this morning's free practice
session and this afternoon all 10 Michelin drivers lined up in the top 12.
Juan Pablo Montoya (BMW WilliamsF1 Team)
spearheaded the Michelin challenge: he was second fastest ahead of Ralf
Schumacher (BMW WilliamsF1 Team, third), Fernando Alonso (Renault,
fourth), Olivier Panis (Toyota, fifth), Jarno Trulli (Renault, sixth),
David Coulthard (McLaren-Mercedes, seventh), Mark Webber (Jaguar, eighth),
Cristiano da Matta (Toyota, 10th), Antonio Pizzonia (Jaguar, 11th) and
Kimi Räikkönen (McLaren-Mercedes, 12th).
Michelin motorsport director Pierre Dupasquier said: "Today's conditions
have not been ideal for gathering data, be cause the track is still very
green, but the early signs suggest that the tyres we prepared for
Silverstone are very well suited to the track." In the wake of recent
successes at the Nürburgring and Magny-Cours, Michelin is gunning for a
third successive g rand prix victory this weekend.
SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW
Michelin has brought three different types of dry-weather tyre to
Silverstone this weekend.
Pierre Dupasquier said: "Conditions were never slippery enough to justify
running wet tyres. We have a mixture of options with us this weekend: some
are brand new a nd others have been used at previous races. It won't be
until tomorrow morning's free practice, however, that teams will have
enough information to decide which they should use in the race."
ASSAULT AND RUBBERY
With average lap speeds in the region of 230 km/h (140 mph), Silverstone
is one of the Formula One season's most demanding circuits for a tyre
manufacturer.
Pierre Dupasquier said: "The British Grand Prix is a very challenging
event for us. Cars do not car ry quite as much aerodynamic downforce as
they do in Barcelona, which takes a higher toll on rubber than any other
F1 circuit, but tyres are subjected to significant loads throughout the
lap -- and we have to bear in mind that the surface is fairly abrasiv e,
too." |
