Dennis Predicts Race Struggle for Michelin Runners

McLaren team boss Ron Dennis has written off his team's chances of winning at the A1-Ring circuit on Sunday after claiming that the surface does not allow their Michelin tyres to be competitive.

Dennis admitted that the qualifying positions of sixth and eighth for Finn Kimi Raikkonen and Scot David Coulthard respectively was not a shock to him, and he predicted that the situation was unlikely to improve much in Sunday's race.

"I am not at all surprised by our grid, they reflect where we are on certain aspects of the car and this is a circuit that is going to show our weaknesses," said Dennis.

Dennis also claimed that all teams using Michelin tyres would struggle - despite good performances from the Williams cars and a front row start for Ralf Schumacher.

"The Hungarys and Monacos of this world could be a different matter but this is a Bridgestone circuit," Dennis said. "It is going to be a very difficult race for Michelins, it is going to be a Bridgestone race I would predict. But I hope a good performance will see us in the points."