For Michelin qualifying for the 2003 Malaysian Grand Prix would see cars with their tyres occupy the first two positions. Renault’s Fernando Alonso would secure the first pole position of his F1 career. Behind Alonso comes his team-mate Jarno Trulli, but it is not yet known what fuel strategy the Renault team is going to use on Sunday.

McLaren's David Coulthard was fourth, ahead of team-mate Kimi Räikkönen in seventh, Juan Pablo Montoya eighth. Montoya is expected to stop just once tomorrow: his Williams appeared to be running with a particularly heavy fuel load.

The slowest qualifier for Michelin would be the second WilliamsF1 BMW of Ralf Schumacher in seventeenth. Ralf has struggled all weekend to balance his car. Despite the poor times that both WilliamsF1 drivers set they were both confident of performing better come the race.

Pierre Dupasquier, Michelin Motorsport Director, commented on various aspects regarding Michelin..

RENAULT BRIO:
Renault and Michelin have taken the first two places on the grid for tomorrow’s Malaysian Grand Prix. Fernando Alonso – the first Spaniard to qualify on pole position for a world championship F1 race – and Jarno Trulli spearhead a strong Bibendum challenge: six Michelin cars will start in the top 10. Alonso is the first Renault/Michelin driver to qualify on pole position for a grand prix since Patrick Tambay (France 1984). Alain Prost and Eddie Cheever were the last Renault/Michelin drivers to lock out the front row of an F1 grid (France 1983).

FELICIDADES FERNANDO:
Fernando Alonso lines up on pole position for what will be only his 19th grand prix start. His speed comes as no surprise, however, to Michelin motorsport director Pierre Dupasquier. “We worked with him before,” he said, “during his maiden F1 season at Minardi in 2001. With that and his test programme at Renault last year we have come to know him well. I’m not that surprised to see him at the front. He is an extraordinarily determined young man – and a genuine talent.”

FEET ON THE GROUND:
Ralf Schumacher and Williams won this race for Michelin in 2002 and the Clermont-Ferrand company’s tyres have performed well so far this weekend. Pierre Dupasquier is not getting carried away, however. He said: “I’m reserving judgement. We had no cars on the front row two weeks ago in Melbourne, but still managed to finish 1-2-3 in the race. Under current regulations the grid reflects different strategies more than the potential of a particular car or driver. You can’t really be sure that you have done a good job until the race finish. Only then does the true picture become clear.”

LONG AND GRINDING ROAD:
Malaysia is one of the hottest, toughest races of the year – for drivers and equipment alike. In the past it has traditionally been a one-stop race – although two-stop strategies have been a viable alternative. The new rules might bring more options into play tomorrow but, whatever tactics teams choose, Pierre Dupasquier has no worries about Michelin’s ability to stand the pace. “This weekend we have had no problems at all with wear rate,” he said. “It would be a viable option for any of our partner teams to stop just once tomorrow. Even on a heavy fuel load, our tyres will be fast, consistent and durable.”