 McLaren Announce Michelin Switch Tuesday October 30th, 2001 The McLaren team announced on Tuesday they will switch to Michelin tyres next season, finishing their partnership with Japanese manufacturer Bridgestone. "I am very pleased to be making this announcement," said managing director Martin Whitmarsh. "I have the greatest of respect for the Michelin company and its sporting achievements and believe that we can win World Championships together in the future. "We are confident that the technical programme envisaged by our respective engineering teams will enable us to achieve a highly competitive partnership in this increasingly important area of our sport. As ever, we will be doing all we can with the help of Michelin and our other technical Partners to win in 2002." McLaren, who finished in second place in this year's Constructors' Championship behind the Bridgestone-shod Ferrari, was one of the first teams to switch to Bridgestone in 1998. Michelin returned to Formula One this season after an absence of more than 15 years from the sport, and they have won four races with the Williams team. "It is great that McLaren and DaimlerChrysler have rejoined the Michelin family," said Michelin boss Pierre Dupasquier. "Whilst we are very pleased with what we have achieved this year in Formula One, and are very optimistic for next year, the involvement of a team with the record and skills of McLaren can only increase our optimism." The Woking-based outfit already used Michelin tyres in the eighties, claiming 17 Grand Prix victories together.
Published at 09:31:46 GMT
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