Goodyear rolls over competition in farewell qualifier

   Copyright c 1998 Nando Media
   Copyright c 1998 Reuters

SUZUKA, Japan (Oct 31, 1998 - 13:56 EST) - If the Japanese Grand Prix comes
down to tires and strategy, Goodyear demonstrated in Saturday's qualifying
it was ready to bid a title-winning adieu to the sport.

Not only did the American tire producer supply the rubber which carried
German Michael Schumacher to pole position, it also equipped eight of the
top 12 cars.

This means Goodyear-clad vehicles will dominate the top half of the grid
and suggests they have an advantage over Japanese rivals Bridgestone in the
showdown.

Schumacher's pole was his third in succession for Ferrari and Goodyear were
clearly delighted to bow out of Formula One after 34 successive years with
one of their men on the pole.

"Michael's hat-trick pole position today was a very satisfying result
considering the extensive efforts we have made with our contracted teams to
develop a tire for this race," said Goodyear's operations manager
Perry Bell.

"All of our teams have chosen the softer 'Option' tire which features
a new rear construction which has enabled them to perform well today."

Only the two McLarens, in second and third places, and the two Benettons,
ninth and 10th, prevented an all-Goodyear front half of the grid.

The final race of the season is also the last for Goodyear before they
withdraw from Formula One after winning 368 Grands Prix since 1965.

Goodyear's satisfaction was in contrast on Saturday evening to
Bridgestone's outlook, but their technical director Hirohide Hamashima
remained optimistic.

"The gap is very small at the front," he said. "The lap
times are amazingly close to last year's. Anything can happen."

McLaren team chief Ron Dennis said: "We had to perform well to force
Michael (Schumacher) on to the soft option. The Bridgestones' durability
here appears to be very good and this means that every option remains open
to us with regard to strategy."

--- Msged/386 4.20 beta 4