Michelin Encouraged Despite No Win

Michelin's Formula One project manager Pascal Vasselon said the French manufacturer were encouraged despite losing out to rivals Bridgestone to first place in today's British Grand Prix.

"After our back-to-back victories at the Nurburgring and Magny-Cours, some people might conclude that we are disappointed about this result: nothing could be further from the truth," said Vasselon.

"There was very little difference in performance between the leading runners this weekend. It has been a close â€" and fascinating â€" race.

"The fact that four of our partner teams were able to score points with three different types of dry-weather tyre proves that the range of options we brought this weekend has been extremely competitive."

Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello won the race in the Bridgestone-shod car, but Michelin runners Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen completed the podium.

Vasselon was confident Michelin will be competitive again at the German Grand Prix in two weeks time.

"We have been working very hard recently and have already selected our options for Hockenheim," he added. "The circuit is very different in character from Silverstone, but this season we have proved time and again that we are able to produce competitive tyres for every type of track."