Bahrain preview quotes: Michelin

Nick Shorrock, Formula One director: "We evaluated a significant number of casings and compounds during our intensive winter test programme and learned a lot about the effect on tyres of the sport's latest rule changes

"We have established that the new V8 engines require a different driving technique, which impacts on tyre performance, but have addressed this and the results have been very productive. This year, for the first time, we were able to conduct a pre-season test in Bahrain - and that was extremely useful.

"Normally, we are limited to testing in the cold of a European winter, when the weather tends to restrict the amount of useful running you can do per day. In Bahrain, however, we were able to run from nine until five - and that gave us ample opportunity to accumulate relevant data.

"It also confirmed that our preparations in Europe had been very astute. On the other hand, although the rules were changed in a bid to reduce costs, it is disappointing to note that a tyre manufacturer such as Michelin will have to carry 38 per cent more stock to Grands Prix this season than it did in 2005.

"Michelin is working with six F1 partners this year, rather than seven, yet finds itself having to supply more than 300 extra tyres per race weekend. This weekend marks the dawn of a new F1 era.

"It's a step into the unknown for everybody, but Michelin has prepared with its traditional attention to detail. We expect fierce competition but, as history shows, we thrive on such challenges."