By Michelin Sport
May 6 2006

World championship leader Fernando Alonso will start tomorrow's Grand Prix of Europe from pole position – the 10th pole of his F1 career and Michelin's 103rd. The Spaniard, who is chasing his third win of the 2006 season, lapped in 1:29.819 – the fastest lap seen at the Nurburgring so far this weekend.

He is one of six Michelin drivers from four partner teams in the top 10: Rubens Barrichello, Kimi Raikkonen, Jenson Button, Jacques Villeneuve and Juan Pablo Montoya are the others.

Nick Shorrock
Formula One Director
Michelin

"Track conditions were very difficult for everybody during this morning's final free practice session – the circuit was very slippery. Things improved as the temperature picked up, however, and our partner teams made very effective use of three different Michelin specifications during qualifying.

"We are delighted to have taken another pole position – our third of the year. We knew at the start of the weekend that we would be quick and consistent in race trim, but we didn't know whether we would have sufficient one-lap pace to take pole position. Fernando has just answered that question very effectively – and that gives us an added boost ahead of what is likely to be a very tight, competitive race."