Two of Michelin’s Le Mans Series partner teams are testing at Portimao (Portugal) and Monteblanco (Spain) this week, while next week will see Giancarlo Fisichella and Jean Alesi get behind the wheel of the Michelin-equipped, AF Corse-run Ferrari F430 in Italy.

Although practically all the LMP1 prototype entries for next June’s Le Mans 24 hours are down to contest the race on Michelin tyres, there is a strong chance that the French firm will only be associated with one car in LMP2, namely the Strakka Racing Acura ARX-01c. It consequently faces a tough challenge if it wants to repeat the LMP2 success it secured on the event in 2009 with the Team Essex Porsche RS Spyder.

In order to stack up as many cards in its favour as possible, Michelin and Strakka Racing have put together a two-day test this week at Portimao, in Portugal’s Algarve region, where Michelin has two new slicks to try. Jonny Kane has been recruited by Strakka Racing to join Dany Wats in the team’s line-up for 2010.

Rebellion Racing and the brand new Michelin-shod Lola B10/60 LMP1 are also in action, with a two-day session at Portimao, followed by a further day’s run across the Spanish border at Monteblanco, near Seville.

Meanwhile, Michelin and its LMGT2 partner AF Corse have booked a session together at Vallelunga, Italy, on February 26 where former F1 stars Giancarlo Fisichella and Jean Alesi will get a chance to familiarise themselves with the Ferrari F430 GT they will share in the 2010 Le Mans Series. Michelin will use this run to test wider front tyres.

24 Hours of Le Mans, LMS, Michelin