This week's Grapevine brings you information fresh from the paddock on: Williams Pushing Michelin Silly Season Update

Williams Pushing Michelin

Back in April, Michelin boss Pierre Dupasquier criticised the Bridgestone approach of focussing on a single team, claiming that it would compromise the overall understanding of the tyres, and how best to develope it. At the time, Ferrari had won four of the first five races, and he was talking up the expectations for Michelin to close the gap; since then, however, things have not exactly been rosy for the French manufacturer.

To date, 2002 has been a disappointing season for Williams and McLaren, as each was expecting to be relatively competitive, with real chances of winning races. In the event, neither have managed to realise the half of their pre-season hopes, and are putting it to Michelin that their tyres are the key reason why each has won only one race. Ferrari, by contrast, have racked up eleven, and cannot be discounted from taking the remainder to boot.

Michelin, of course, are not just in it to make up the numbers, and even if they were, they are not keen to be criticised by their main teams. On the other hand, there's no denying that not only have Bridgestone been dominant at the front, but the midfield players have more often made substantial ground on their Michelin-shod rivals come race day as the season has worn on. The situation has got to the point where - whilst being careful to soften the statement, Ron Dennis is openly stating his dissatisfaction with the situation, stating: "You can only be satisfied with a tyre company when you have won a World Championship with it, and clearly we haven't won."

The pattern is not a new one, however. Formula One has a history of newcomers bursting onto the scene with a highly respectable first year, before hitting a purple patch in the second - recent examples including Jordan, Stewart and Prost. Some recover and go on to excel again, most have failed to recover their initial form. It's even a fairly well understood issue. most teams or engine manufacturers intent on joining the series put a lot of research into it, and have a full year of development and testing behind their first entry. However, the commitment to the racing season has huge demands, typically preventing the same effort from being put in to the second year, whilst the establishment continues development at a relentless pace. In hindsight, it's more surprising that Michelin were expected to continue gaining ground on a very motivated Bridgestone - who do, after all, have more experience of grooved tyres and the circuits - than their apparent drop off.

None of which cuts much ice with Williams, however, who are coming under pressure from BMW to improve their results. Accordingly, the message is very definitely going out to Michelin that if they want Williams to commit beyond 2003, then at least parity with Bridgestone by the end of the season is required. Along with a strong start to next season.

Silly Season Update

Juan Pablo Montoya's two-year contract extension at Williams has left the paddock contemplating the possibility of Michael Schumacher retiring at the end of 2004, and Montoya joining the team to fill his shoes. As Montoya currently seems to be the clear Ferrari favourite to replace their World Champion, when the time comes, it is widely expected that he is lining up a bidding war for his services. Mind you, there is not much comment on Ralf Schumacher's position: both drivers' contracts will now end at the same time. If nothing else, this ensures that if Williams want continuity, then at least one of the drivers will be in a very strong position to argue a renewal when the time comes, or head over to Maranello.

Of course, Montoya might not be so keen to remain at Williams if BMW go through with suggestions that they could build their own chassis in the not-so-distant future. The threat isn't been seen as very real at the moment, so much as a hurry up on Williams to start producing some results. Williams, in turn, are making noises about changing tyre supplier.

Which is where Goodyear comes in. Since leaving the sport in 1999, their global profile has diminished. Tyre manufacturing is a low margin business, so marketing has to be considered very carefully, even for the world's largest manufacturer. However, there have been noises from America that focussing on the local NASCAR series really doesn't have the same marketing potential as, say, being competitive in a world series too. With the Dunlop brand currently strong in World Superbikes, there is the option of using Dunlop for a world brand, and Goodyear in the States. Or sticking to Dunlop for bikes and Goodyear for cars. Or saving the cash, and staying out altogether. The strongest rumour, currently, is that, come Christmas, Goodyear will announce a return to sport in 2004 with Red Bull, and announce a mystery 'front running team' early in the new season. Of course, this rumour didn't originate from within any front running Michelin-shod team...

Jordan's Ford engine deal has set a Jaguar-shaped cat amongst the pigeons. Ford's apparently works engine deal with the Irish outfit has led to speculation that Jaguar is up for sale. Given Red Bull's Dietrich Mateschitz is looking for a team to buy in order to improve his presence in the Americas, Ford's protestations that the future of the team is secure are being met with open scepticism. It also gives Enrique Bernoldi, who is sponsored by Red Bull, an immediate test role and future seat, in the event Arrows go under.. It may be entirely a coincidence that Dr Helmut Marko, who runs the 'Red Bull junior' F3000 team, is stepping down and selling up. Then again, Mateschitz would need someone he knows and trusts to represent Red Bull's interest in any team he buys.

Uncertain future or not, Mark Webber seems set to sign a contract with Jaguar to race for them next year, ousting Eddie Irvine. This despite the Irishman's contract with the team being solid for another year. Though if the team are bought out, its value is suddenly uncertain anyway. Then again, Irvine is supposed to be en route to Jordan, bringing his experience of working with Cosworth engineers, to make the transition from Honda to Ford power easier.

Webber's move from Minardi, ironically, gives Alex Yoong his best chance of remaining with the team. The funds he brings from Malaysia are considerable, offering Minardi the chance to operate on something close to a respectable budget for the year. If he is retained, the contract will continue to have performance clauses.