By Parminio
August 12 2003

Michelin has deffintately done their homework this year, catching and passing Bridgestone it seems. Bridgestone have stated that they are quite happy with their tires over the last two races however, and it makes one wonder...do they know something we don't? With Williams just simply blowing the field away at Hockenheim, and McLaren having a very strong showing from David Coulthard, it makes one wonder; Just how happy can Bridgestone be?

The F2003GA was heralded as being as much as 2 seconds a lap faster than it's predecesor when released, but has not lived up to the billing. With all of the finger pointing going in Bridgestone's direction, Bridgestone are saying they're "pretty happy".

There is a case to be made that it's more Ferrari dropping the ball than Bridgestone...until of course one looks at the qualifying grids for most of the season. Of all of the races run so far, only two Bridgestone cars have been in the top 10 each time. Ferrari. Of the bottom 10 cars it's a who's who of the rest of the Bridgestone cars.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that BAR and Sauber have a pretty good car...but their performance has been lack luster all year long. It's a bit more than hard to believe that these three teams can't get a car right. Add that to Ferrari's woes and you have to start looking for the common denominator. There is only one: Bridgestone.

I for one hope that Bridgestone stay happy for the last 4 races. If they do, no doubt we will see either a Williams or a McLaren world champion. We'll see soon enough...but my money is on Michelin.