Bahrain GP - Michelin - Qualifying
They may not have been able to make the front row but Honda and Renault racers Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso will lead the Michelin challenge in the season-opening Bahraini Grand Prix, following the first running of the sport’s ground-breaking, knockout-style qualifying system.
Seven Michelin drivers – representing five of the company’s six partner teams – made it into the final top-ten shoot-out.

Juan Pablo Montoya (McLaren Mercedes) will start the race fifth, ahead of Rubens Barrichello (Honda, sixth), Christian Klien (Red Bull Racing, eighth), Giancarlo Fisichella (Renault, ninth) and Nick Heidfeld (BMW Sauber, 10th).

Nick Shorrock, Michelin Formula One Director
“For a first run-out, I think the new qualifying system proved to be very interesting – and teams clearly need to be on their toes, as we saw in the first segment, because unexpected incidents can impact on strategies."

“The track was dirty and very slow to begin with, because of all the sand that has blown across, but conditions improved throughout the session. Our partner teams will use six different types of tyre in the race and I am very satisfied with the way all our products performed.
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“The weather has been a little cooler than originally anticipated, which has made it tricky to get the absolute best from the rubber, but I think we’ll be strong in the race and I’m eager to see how the final part of the weekend unravels. Our partners have worked extremely hard throughout the winter and it is rewarding to see that several of them look to be in extremely competitive shape.”

Nick Fry, Honda F1 CEO
“We benefit from a fantastic collaboration with Michelin and have come to this race extremely well prepared. We ran very strongly yesterday, when Anthony Davidson posted the fastest time, and were quick again this morning, when Jenson Button set the pace. I think the latest qualifying system is fantastic – it tested teams’ nerves at every stage. Even if it is slightly disappointing not to have made the front row, it’s only tomorrow that we’ll find out who really is the fastest and I think we are in a very good position.”

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