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London, Great Britain -
Michelin is to become the exclusive tyre partner to A1GP World Cup of
Motorsport starting with the 2008/09 season. The French company which
has a vast motorsport heritage has signed a three year deal to provide
tyres for the new A1GP Powered by Ferrari car.
Michelin tyre technicians have been working hard with the A1GP
technical personnel to provide the best possible rubber for the series.
Since the Powered by Ferrari car had its first run in Fiorano in late
May it has been using the company's tyres and has clocked up over 4,000
kilometres on tracks in Italy and Spain.
Feedback
from testing, during which A1GP has been able to tap into the vast
experience of Andrea Bertolini, Patrick Friesacher and Marc Gene, has
been very positive. All drivers commented on the tyres' consistency and
that they were able to feel the difference between the various sets.
Michelin's
involvement in motor racing has always been the result of a careful
mixture of passion and reason for numerous decades. A commitment always
combined with full responsibility for the design, manufacture and use
of products during a competition, as well as the spirit of co-operation
with their partners. The tyres' technological development therefore
results from close co-operation between A1GP and Michelin engineers.
The
tyre design stems from Formula One technologies seeking to offer both
optimal performance and safety to the driver. Full rubber serration
tests were performed on various tracks including Fiorano, Imola, Jerez
and Mugello resulting in the best possible compromise between grip,
endurance and wear.
Michelin will be present in the
paddock to guarantee high-quality service throughout the season. The
use of this high-technology product by all A1GP teams shall be
supervised under the watchful and expert eye of a skilled Michelin
technician.
A1GP General Manager, Technical and
Operations, John Wickham: "We are very pleased to be working with
Michelin for the next three seasons. Michelin has a vast amount of
experience in motorsport and will enhance the competitive nature of our
series. We commenced the test programme at the beginning of June and
have now specified the most suitable tyre compound and construction for
our new A1GP Powered by Ferrari car. "
Also
giving specific information on the tyres used, Wickham continued: "We
have run 29 sets of slick tyres and three sets of wets so far. There
are small differences between the spec of the slicks, about 50% are
'control' spec so 15 or so 'test' sets."
Michelin
Group Motorsport Director, Frédéric Henry-Biabaud: "Michelin is
extremely honoured to be associated with the fast-growing A1GP series
and is looking forward to playing a part in the championship's
expansion.
"The championship organiser has decided
to produce a new Powered by Ferrari single-seater and Michelin was
active in this car's development from the outset. This close
collaboration underpins Michelin's image as a truly dependable
technical partner.
"This association with such
prestigious partners represents a genuine challenge and it is
Michelin's experience of advanced technology single-seater racing tyres
that has enabled it to rise so successfully to the occasion."
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