Tyres Blamed for Ferrari’s Poor Showing

Rival teams have blamed Ferrari’s poor start to the Formula One season on its Bridgestone tyres. Speaking in a press conference prior to the Monaco Grand Prix, Michelin supplied drivers including Red Bull Racing’s David Coulthard, Renault’s Giancarlo Fisichella and McLaren’s Kimi Raikkonen all pointed to inferior Japanese rubber as the reason for Ferrari’s struggles.

“I think it is quite clear for everyone that it’s more to do with the tyres than anything else,” said Coulthard. “I think Imola would show that.” Fisichella and Raikkonen agreed.

“I think if you put the same Michelin tyres on that car [the Ferrari F2005] they would be at the front end again,” suggested Kimi Raikonnen.

However, all three drivers agreed that it would be a mistake to write Ferrari off prematurely. “It’s a long season,” said David Coulthard. “You can only write the ‘Downfall of Ferrari’ chapter once you get to the end of the season, if they’re still struggling – and even then, maybe we have to say that the tyres were clearly a bigger factor.”