Formula One news

Michelin to push tyre development at Monza test

After Robert Kubica complained of problems with his softer compound Michelin tyres at the Turkish Grand Prix, BMW-Sauber and Michelin are making tyre development the priority at this week's Monza test.

"On the first lap of the last stint the tyres were already graining and the pace was massively slow," said Kubica.

Although the Polish driver admitted that it was partly BMW's fault for choosing the softer tyre, Michelin recognises it has a problem in such circumstances.

"At the beginning of the race we did suffer from a bit of graining," admitted Michelin F1 Director Nick Shorrock.

"Overall, however, our products managed to get through one of the most difficult races of the season quite well."

The tyre-supplier, whose front runner Fernando Alonso thinks tyres will play a big part in the outcome of the Championship race, intends to test further tyre developments at the Monza test now that the Summer testing ban is over.

"We will take a look at the tyre choice of future races but we also want to focus on improving our performance on the first lap."

"If we're successful it will enable our partners to apply different strategies," revealed Shorrock.

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