Michelin Vow to Learn from US Disappointment

Michelin need to improve their wet tyres and will learn from the disappointment of Sunday's US Grand Prix, Williams and McLaren's suppliers said on Sunday.

Ferrari's Michael Schumacher, using Bridgestone tyres, won the wet race at Indianapolis and now needs one point from the last race in Japan to claim a record sixth Formula One championship.

Tyres were crucial to the outcome of yesterday's race, and Michelin motorsport director Pierre Dupasquier said the difference between the two brands was marked.

"In slightly damp conditions our grooved dry-weather tyres enabled our leading drivers to run up to three seconds per lap faster than Michael Schumacher," he told reporters. "In wetter conditions, we were losing two seconds per lap on intermediate tyres compared to Michael Schumacher, and one second against other competitors."

"The lessons learned will help us to strengthen our all-round performance and that will be a great source of motivation," added Dupasquier. "We have to pick up a few seconds per lap in rain conditions this winter. I assure you we will."