FEBRUARY 7, 2001

Michelins for Minardi

ALTHOUGH it is yet to be confirmed it is expected that the European Minardi team will run on Michelin tires this year. The team took a 2000 chassis testing last weekend at the Vairano testing facility in northern Italy and although the test was closed to the public we understand that the tires used were Michelins. This would not be a surprise as Michelin has so far only announced deals with Williams, Jaguar, Benetton and Prost. The company will also supply the new Toyota team but with Bridgestone only obliged to supply half the field they can insist that Michelin adds another team to its roster, if only to make life more difficult for the French tiremaker.