BMW needs softer Michelins

[E46Fanatic]

Villeneuve, 12th and furious Luc Domenjoz La Presse Special collaboration Imola It is the moment. By demanding that his team address his need for more softer tires, they will give them to him. Starting from next the Gran Prix, Nürburgring. There is really a style "Jacques Villeneuve". It's not just the glaring expressions - he insists to walk the paddock in overalls three sizes too large. He acknowledges it, Jacques likes a very aggressive driving. At Williams, one still remembers the Homeric duels which had opposed it, 10 years ago, with the technical director, Patrick Head, him which refused to let the Quebecer setup his car with his own way. This smooth style, Jacques Villeneuve always cherishes it. But so that it is reflected on the timing sheet, he needs much grip, therefore very soft tires. At the end of 2004, after having signed with Peter Sauber for the season 2005, he knew that it was necessary for him absolutely to have Michelin tires, softer, to be competitive. At the time, Sauber rolled on Bridgestone tyres, which were provided to him free by the Japanese manufacturer. The Michelin tyres had to be paid for. To finish convincing Peter Sauber, Jacques Villeneuve accepted the improbable: to pay half of the sum on a purely personal basis. The agreement was thus concluded. The problem, according to the Quebecer, is that, since the fiasco of Indianapolis, Michelin does not manufacture any more also soft tires by fear which the American problem does not repeat. Something the French engineers deny vigorously. Refusing to listen to them, Jacques Villeneuve insisted to the point that the technicians of Michelin decided, yesterday evening, to yield to his requests: as of next the Gran Prix of Europe, in Nürburgring, in two weeks, they will produce ultra-soft compound specially designed for Team BMW Sauber. By doing so however it takes a large risk. That is not the opinion of the Québécois pilot. "I have some enough, we are not on the pace, and I do not know why, he said, yesterday just after climbing out of his car. We need different tires." Still perspiring, disappointed to place only with the 12th in the Gran Prix of San Marino, it could only note his dissapointment. "There are races, like that, where one would have done better to stay at home!" If the competiveness was not on the side of his BMW Sauber, the chance was gone after the 1st pitstop, two bolts of wheel were blocked at the same time. Fifteen seconds lost. Whereas it ran in sixth place before his stop, Villeneuve took again to the track only in 13e position. A delay which it had to trail to the checkered flag. "I do not know what occurred during this stop but, without this problem, I could gain two places." Cold comfort, it would then have finished tenth. Nick Heidfeld, his teammate, is classified just behind him. Affected by his stomach ailment, he lost at least a half-second with a lap compared to his normal rate/rhythm. He would have been better inspired to yield its place to the pilot-tester Robert Kubica the space of this cursed weekend. Jacques Villeneuve already makes a point of forgetting the Gran Prix of San Marino. And to turn to the next stage, this famous Nürbürgring, which was the theatre of his first victory and where, he hopes, he will be able to make the difference with tires that finally fit his taste. A taste definitely quite particular, combination of racing at the limits of adhesion.