Michelin Make Statement on the FIA Tyre Changes

The Michelin tyre company issued a statement today, in response to the FIA's letter received last week, which notified the tyre company of new interpertation of the tyre regulations.

The FIA told the teams and their tyre supplier that scrutineers will measure the tyre width after used and not only when brand new, following a secret protest after the Hungarian Grand Prix that suggested the Michelin tyres expand in width when used.

In a statement to the press, Michelin said today:

After the Hungarian GP, the FIA has decided a new interpretation of the Sporting Regulation concerning F1 tyres. This applies to the definition of the front tyres tread width, which was so far measured when new, according to article 77)c) of the Sporting Regulations. The FIA wants us now to consider the width of the front contact patch after the tyre has been used on track.

We would like to point out a few facts:

our front tyre profile has been deemed 'to comply with the F1 Regulations' in writing by the FIA. The controls have been made on new tyres, which confirms the interpretation of article 77)c).

the procedure to measure the width of a contact patch as required now is unknown at the moment, which prevents any further work. We can expect some difficulties in the definition since a tyre in its use can be in systematic contact with various 'objects', for example curbs, which, according to their profile and position, can touch up as far as the middle of the side walls.

all Michelin's partners are concerned by this regulation change, as they all use the same front tyre profile

we are fully open to discuss this regulation change wished by the FIA and help to define a measurement procedure which could be enforced in 2004. We feel it is of course not realistic to ask for it before the Italian F1 Grand Prix.

Earlier today, Michelin motorsport director, Pierre Dupasquier, told Atlas F1 the Michelin-shod teams may consider boycotting the Italian Grand Prix, if the FIA decides to go ahead with the new interpertation to the rules.