By Parminio
July 17 2002

Michelin and Bridgestone face off in France. Bridgestone, who have dominated all year long go to a track that Michelin practically owns. This weekends race should be interesting. It should at the very least tell all of us something about Michelin. With Bridgestone dominating all year long with VERY few exeptions, they now travel to a track that Michelin practically owns. Michelin tested at Magny Cours during the entire off season with Toyota while other teams, more importantly no Bridgestone teams, could test at all. Add to this the fact that McLaren, Williams, Toyota and Jaguar have run more laps at Magny Cours in testing for Michelin than all of the Bridgestone teams and one can't help but think that Michelin has almost an unfair advantage. This weekend is going to tell us if Michelin can compete. It's going to be a "who's who" of the tire industry. With the testing and data advantage that Michelin have at Magny Cours this year, there should be a knock down, drag out, barn burner of a qualifying session. Should Ferrari and the other Bridgestone teams once again mop the floor with the Michelin shod teams, look for some moves to be made in the off season.