Canada Preview Quotes: Michelin

Pierre Dupasquier, Michelin motorsport director: "In common with certain other circuits on the calendar, Montreal features a blend of high-speed straights, tight corners and heavy braking zones. Drivers negotiate the chicanes at relatively low speeds - about 80-120 km/h (50-75 mph) - and it is vital to gauge your traction control settings correctly to optimise exit speeds onto the long straights

Jun 5, 2005, 12:45 AM

"The absence of quick corners and the frequent need for hard acceleration places a great deal of emphasis on rear-tyre performance - and the possibility of hot ambient temperatures increases the potential strain. You have to take care not to let the rear wheels spin too much, because that accelerates wear rates. To counter this phenomenon, we will offer our partner teams tyres with fairly stiff sidewall constructions.

"The Montreal circuit has been completely resurfaced since last season. Our engineers have taken a look at the track and their research indicates that the asphalt won't be particularly abrasive. That said, it is completely new and has yet to be tested by any racing cars. It is likely that track conditions will evolve significantly throughout the weekend, largely due to the chemical reactions that are an unpredictable by-product of any freshly-laid surface."