Monaco Preview Quotes: Michelin

Pierre Dupasquier, Michelin motorsport director: "This is a race like no other on the F1 schedule - It has a character like no other track and technically it is the complete opposite of the previous race in Barcelona. In Spain we ran hard tyres to deal with very abrasive conditions; in Monaco we will use much softer compounds. It's a race that requires a very particular approach but Michelin has demonstrated during the past couple of seasons that it knows how to rise to the challenge. I am looking forward to the weekend and am confident we can complete our hat trick."

Pascal Vasselon, Michelin Formula One programme manager: "It is more difficult to prepare for Monaco than it is for any other event because you can't test in the principality and there is no other circuit like it. The track is slow and tight and the road surface isn't particularly abrasive. You also have to consider the 'barrier factor', which can have a psychological effect on drivers. They have to adapt their driving style because the Armco is so close all the way around the circuit. During the past few seasons we have established a system for evaluating tyre performance at Monaco by extrapolating data obtained at other venues. We have three dry-weather tyre options available for this year's race and made our final choice in the wake of a recent test session at Paul Ricard, in the south of France."