Q & A with Michelin's Nick Shorrock

Q. Nick, Michelin and Renault won the first three races of the 2006 season. What can you tell us about it?

Nick Shorrock - Michelin F1 Director: First of all that I am very pleased. It demonstrates that Michelin and its partners were able to take up the challenge of the new regulations from the first races. The fact that Renault won in all sorts of conditions is really positive: hot temperatures in Bahrain, very hot in Sepang and finally cool temperatures in Melbourne. We have been able to reach the expectations of our teams and we give concrete expression to the work we completed this winter. But of course, we take nothing for granted!

Q. Is this a first reward?

NS: Absolutely. The engineers from Michelin worked very hard this winter to adjust our products to the new regulations. These three wins highlight the quality of the work we accomplished up to now. We always said we wanted to leave Formula One after 2006 with a new crown. The best way to reach this goal is to win as often as possible.

Q. What is the secret recipe of the successful partnership between Michelin and Renault?

NS: I think there have been three main steps: development, work and human qualities. Our work starts with the understanding of the dynamic characteristics of a new car to be able to offer the most adapted products. As soon as the tyres have been produced, we then start working methodically and rigorously on their improvement. That's why it's a real advantage for Michelin to have several partners. It helps us check each improvement we make thanks to our evolutions and then to adapt our offer to the expectations of each team. The quality of our exchanges really makes the difference!

Q. Do you think this is the main specificity of the relationship between Michelin and Renault?

NS: Yes, I truly think that the quality of our dialog is a solid platform to our success. We positively pressure one another. For instance, Pat Symonds can be tough with us. He works very hard with our engineers on each GP to choose the best type of tyres for the race. He then studies with us the optimal way to exploit the compounds during the race. Pat asks us the right questions, makes us to call into question our certitudes. The first three wins are the result of a real mutual listening ability and a very professional partnership.