JANUARY 20, 2003

Renault aims to be Michelin's top team

Renault says that it is aiming to become Michelin's number one partner in Formula 1, leap-frogging McLaren and Williams. The recent rule change which allows tyre companies to develop tyres specifically for individual teams means that the number one status will be decided upon by results.

"As a French team we want to become Michelin's number one partner," says Renault's executive engineering director Pat Symonds. "We have worked hand in hand for months and this new measure should enable us to be even more competitive. Along with aerodynamics tyres are a key performance factor in modern F1 and, as such, demand a great deal of attention."