Canada Preview Quotes: Michelin

Pierre Dupasquier, Michelin motorsport director: "Montreal incorporates a blend of high-speed straights, slow-speed corners and fierce braking zones. It is one of the season's most challenging tracks for a tyre manufacturer. Last season we gave our partner teams a clear technical advantage although a combination of factors conspired to deny us victory. I am confident we can redress the balance this time."

Pascal Vasselon, Michelin F1 programme manager: "After the Nurburgring, where tyres are subjected to very even loads during the course of a lap, we will stick with compounds from the softer end of our range for Montreal â€" although the circuit parameters are very different from those we encountered in Germany. There are no quick corners and cars are constantly accelerating hard from hairpin bends or slow chicanes, a factor that inflicts a substantial load on the rear tyres. Even a slight rise in temperature can be enough to put them under great duress.

"Furthermore, you can't choose too hard a compound because the circuit has a low-grip surface. It's a difficult compromise that makes Montreal an interesting exercise for tyre manufacturers â€" it would be very easy to make a mistake when finalising your options. After analysing data from the last few races and a recent test session at Paul Ricard, we have chosen three dry-weather compounds that should be capable of dealing with Montreal’s potential pitfalls."