Michelin in all-attack Japan strategy

"After consultation and tests with our five partner teams, we have selected one new construction and four different dry-weather compounds for Suzuka," said Pascal Vasselon, Michelin's F1 programme manager. "Three of these have not previously been used in racing conditions. We will also have a new type of wet available."

Michelin's wet tyre has been consistently weaker than Bridgestone's in recent times. Rain at Suzuka in October is a frequent occurrence, and the company's partners McLaren and Williams cannot afford to lose out this time. In this last race of the year, McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen is chasing the drivers' title whilst Williams want to wrest the constructors' prize from Ferrari.

"In my view, it's a good thing to have plenty of hard work ahead of us, because it keeps us focused," said Michelin motorsport director Pierre Dupasquier. "We are going to Suzuka to help the BMW Williams F1 Team in its fight for the constructors' title and to see if Kimi Räikkönen can become Formula 1's youngest champion. You never know. Anything is possible until the chequered flag drops."