2006 FIA Formula One World Championship, launched on March 12, has now entered a period of fierce competition. In the last six round of races, Michelin and its partners has snatched four champion titles, and totally 12 podium finishes.

With regulation allowing tyre changes during the race, the battle between the two tyre manufacturers has been increasingly upgraded. And Michelin smiles at this stage.

Fernando Alonso's Formula One title defence began perfectly in the opening round of the 2006 world championship, the Bahraini Grand Prix at Sakhir. The Renault/Michelin driver made a bright start from fourth on the grid, and tracked Michael Schumacher (Ferrari) for the opening two stints of the race, before finally edging ahead after his second and final pit stop. Rejoining just ahead of his main rival, the Spaniard defended robustly and remained in front all the way to the end of a thrilling season- opener. Kimi Rikknen(McLaren Mercedes/Michelin) plumped for a one-stop strategy from the back of the grid and scythed through the field to finish third. Five drivers from four Michelin partners finished with point. Michelin just made a bright start to the unknown season.

Just two weeks after the first win of the season, Giancarlo Fisichella maintained Renault's winning start to the season with a measured drive to victory in the Malaysian Grand Prix. His championship-leading team-mate Fernando Alonso made a bright start from eighth place on the grid and he eventually worked his way up to second to complete a team one-two, an ultimate team prize unfinished in the last season. Pat Symonds, executive engineering director, Renault F1 Team highly praised Michelin's faultless tyres.

In the third round of 2006 season, Michelin maintained its unbeaten start. Fernando Alonso (Renault/Michelin) extended his Formula One world championship lead with an inch-perfect drive in today's Australian Grand Prix. Though the race was disturbed by enforced restarts, Michelin's partners smiled at last. Nine drives from six partners finished in the top ten.