FEBRUARY 18, 2002

Head predicts interesting tire war in 2002

Patrick Head, the technical director of Williams says that the different characteristics of the Michelin and Bridgestone tires this year could result in some fascinating qualifying and race strategies.

PATRICK HEAD, the technical director of Williams says that the different characteristics of the Michelin and Bridgestone tires this year could result in some fascinating qualifying and race strategies with top teams struggling on occasion in qualifying but then driving through the field in the races as their tires become more effective.

Head refused to explain why he thought this might be the case but said that the two tire companies have adopted very different approaches to the tires this year.

Head also refused to comment on suggestions that Michelin will use tires with non-symmetrical grooves, saying only that the French tire company has a different interpretation to the tire regulations than the FIA.