Michelin working closely with Williams

[Super Tourer]

The choice of Olivier Beretta for the William's testing role seems to hint at a more serious approach by Michelin.

Its reported by www.grandprix.com that Beretta has been, in recent months, been doing 'very quiet' development work for Michelin using a Formula One car for tyre testing.

Now Beretta has joined the Williams test squad to concentrate on Michelin tyre development for the William's chassis. He will now get more running as Ralf Schumacher will not run again until the new car is launched - due to back pain.

It seems that Michelin have recognised that Ferrari using Burti exclusively for Bridgestone tyre testing last season was a key factor in their performance differential.

The fact that they are now seem to be working more closely with William's, suggest they may view them as the stronger challenger from their stable of 'partners'.

[shiny side up!]

That's a pretty ballsy move to make by Michelin, if they decide to throw more weight behind Williams than McLaren... Doesn't Michelin always say that they have found what is good for one team helps all teams? Kind of contradicting themselves, maybe??

[BootsOntheSide]

So that makes 3 test drivers for Williams- Gene, Montagny and Beretta? Will it be Gene to lead the testing, Montagny to assist while developing himself as a driver, and Beretta purely to work on tyres.

I bet McLaren are spewing at this, they made the ebst use of the tyres last year, making the soft ones last longer than WIlliams could on the hard ones, ahving never used their tyres before, now this emerges and suggests a clear bias towards Williams?

[Mr V]

Originally posted by BootsOntheSide
I bet McLaren are spewing at this, they made the ebst use of the tyres last year, making the soft ones last longer than WIlliams could on the hard ones,

Agreed that McLaren won't be happy, however, dispite not making better use of the tyres, Williams were still, as a general rule, the faster of the two teams in qualifying, especially and also in the race, more often than not.Michelin had to pick one or the other, why not go with the team that was faster, dispite not using the tyres properly. Once they have formed a close "relationship" and designed the tyres especially for the Williams, the Williams will be more able to compete with the Ferraris.

Small conselation for McLaren though.

[JonesF1]

I think Gene has also been doing a lot of tire work. McLaren should just hire another test driver for tire work and overall increased testing. Ferraris been doing it and now Williams is so why not?

[Super Tourer]

Montangy is the 2nd test driver for Renault. The William's test line up is Gene and Ricardo Sperafico, with Beretta doing some Michelin work with William's.

ST

[BootsOntheSide]

My mistake.

[Sodemo]

Eh?

I thought all that talk of "bespoke tyres" was meant to prevent all this 'favouritism' by tyre manufacturers, by tailoring tyres to individual teams?