"Audi's management took us into their confidence at the 2003 Le Mans 24 Hours," Bonardel said. "We were told the key features of the project - namely the type of vehicle, its technical characteristics and their impact on the tyres - so that we could begin computer-assisted simulation and calculation work.
"In 2004, we went testing with a 'hybrid' Audi R8 that featured certain elements of the future R10 - such as the wheel arch dimensions, the ride height and weight distribution. This enabled us to produce a range of tyres adapted to the constraints involved and to begin testing at
Jerez."
Testing with the R10 itself began on November 29, 2005 at Mizano, in Italy, with Frank Biela at the wheel.
"Tyre-wise, the objective of the session wasn't to maximise the tyres' performance or durability, but more to see if there were any basic problems,” the German recalled. “We therefore didn't have any particular concerns on the tyre front."
"We were extremely surprised by the inaugural tests because they showed us we had been working in right direction,” Bonardel added. “The chemists, calculations staff, developers and technicians had been working 'blind' for two years.
“For me, the development of the Audi R10 tyres is the fruit of Michelin's long experience of endurance racing. We analysed all the constraints that endurance tyres face in all the different categories in which we have been involved. On the one hand, we noted all the technical constraints relating to the Audi R10. On the other, we had a number of solutions in stock to cope with them."
When the Audi R10 made its official debut at Sebring at the end of March, a large number of question marks still remained. Test work carried out at the beginning of January in Florida enabled the initial work that needed to be done to be identified, but it was still necessary to tread cautiously.
