Expectation Fulfilled
The European Grand Prix highlighted once more the key role the tyres are having this season and, true to Michelin's predictions, the teams have been blaming their tyres for many of their problems. Karl Ludvigsen looks at the winners and whiners of the Nurburgring race
As self-appointed chairman of the 'Stop Kimi Club', I took a lot of satisfaction from the last lap of the last Grand Prix. Again we had three authentic Nice Guys on the podium. This was the first real race of all the contestants this season, with Juan Pablo Montoya back in the saddle, Ferrari with their latest equipment, and BAR back in the fight on a track that didn't greatly favor one team over another. It was a result that said that - Monaco excepted - Renault have the hang of the new tyre rules, BMW Williams are getting their act together, and Ferrari will still be a force to reckon with.
Speaking of Monaco, what a relief it was to get away from the Principality with all its hype and posing to the uplands of Germany's Eifel region with its cows, campers and caravans. I mean, diamonds on helmets and Star Wars characters in the paddock - give me a break! As well, the change from Monaco to Germany showed what a difference a TV director can make. At the 'Ring we had tremendous coverage of an action-packed race, not least with multi-angle replays. As Monaco proved, it's no use having all these battles up and down the field if the director doesn't want to show them to us.
One expectation for the season has been fulfilled in generous measure. I refer to the forecast, back in February, that drivers and teams may tend to blame their tyre providers for any drop-off in car performance. Making this prophecy, Michelin's Pierre Dupasquier said that the responsibility for maintaining rubber in good shape throughout a race wouldn't be the sole responsibility of the tyre markers.
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