Bahrain Preview Quotes: Michelin
Monday March 29th, 2004
Pierre Dupasquier, motorsport director: "We came away from the previous Grand Prix in Malaysia in an extremely positive frame of mind. We are now moving from Sepang, a track with which we are familiar and where we have enjoyed great success in the past, to Bahrain, where we have no relevant experience at all. We don't know much about what lies ahead, although it will definitely be hot and there is a risk that sand will blow onto the track, a factor that will significantly decrease the level of grip and accelerate the rate of tyre wear. What I can say for certain, however, is that Michelin's extensive pre-race research has allowed us to prepare as thoroughly as possible."
Pascal Vasselon, Formula One programme manager: "Bahrain might be hot, but our investigations indicate that the circuit won't place particularly extreme loads on tyres, unlike tracks such as Barcelona. We plan to take three dry-weather tyre options, both from the middle segment of our range. Our calculations suggest that the fuel penalty will be somewhere between 0.3s and 0.35s per lap for every extra 10kg, but it is difficult to come up with a precise figure until the cars have turned a wheel in anger. Preparing for events such as this adds an interesting new twist to the season and I am confident."
____________________________________
Sand...?
Never mind the tires... let's hope the engines survive...
new rule... one engine per weekend... change engine = lose 10 grid positions at the start...
what a bs rule ! |
