BAR form not unrelated to switch, says Michelin.

Michelin boss, Pierre Dupasquier has taken a subtle dig at Bridgestone, by implying that Jenson Button and BAR-Honda wouldn't be where they are currently, if they hadn't switched tyre suppliers at the end of last season.

Speaking following Sunday's San Marino Grand Prix, in which Button finished a strong second, while Michelin also took third, fourth, fifth, seventh and eighth spots, Dupasquier said: "We were delighted with Jenson Button's pole position and he raced really well today [Sunday] - another illustration of the progress BAR has made since switching to Michelin."

"We adopted a fairly aggressive approach to this race but our tyres were in such good condition at the end of each stint," he added. "The track surface hasn't changed a great deal since yesterday [Saturday], despite the fierce rainstorms overnight.

"Conditions were perhaps a little bit more slippery at the start of the grand prix, but they hadn't evolved significantly.

"Michelin's three dry-weather compounds proved to be fast and durable throughout the weekend, as our tyres have been at every circuit this year."

Michelin for the record, have yet to win a grand prix this season, following the form of Michael Schumacher, Ferrari and Bridgestone.