Tyre firms against single-spec rubber

The team's currently have to make the choice between a company's 'prime' and 'option' tyre before qualifying and then stick with that for the race.

Bridgestone's Hiroshi Yasukawa said: "We have to consider the safety issues and the image of Formula 1. If you want to change specification down to one tyre, we are very pleased cost-wise. But if we spoil the race, this is a very bad image. Formula 1 is one of the top world sports."

Michelin's Pierre Dupasquier supported the view. He said: "The risk is that if you screw up your tyre selection, then you have no race at all. There is no back-up, no nothing. Safety-wise, if we have to change three or four times, that's alright, we would get through the race, but it would be ridiculous.

"Sometimes we would be stuffed after five or 10 laps, because if you get temperatures of 40-42 degrees instead of the 18-20 degrees that was expected, then you are in trouble.

"Also, development wise, we like to increase our knowledge. If we are trapped with only one tyre it is less development and you just gamble. We understand the idea, but we don't like it too much"