2005 Golden Opportunity for Michelin

The new Formula 1 season will bring with it a “giant chance” to finally challenge for the world championship, Niki Lauda told the Home of F1 news services. The former Ferrari driver said new regulations often represent a “golden” opportunity to beat the pacesetter.

“Above all I see the new tyre rule as a chance for them” Niki Lauder said referring to the new rule limiting teams to a single set of tyres for both qualifying and the grand prix. When it comes to developing a brand new F1 tyre, he continued, Michelin have a distinct advantage for 2005.

“They have much more data, for example of Mercedes, BMW, Honda and Toyota, while Bridgestone has only Ferrari. And we know that tyres dictate victory and defeat,” he explained.