Brawn Joins Tyre Rules Criticism

Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn has joined other teams and drivers who have today urged Formula One's governing body to revise on safety grounds a new rule that limits them to one kind of wet tyre at Grands Prix.

"I would like the one wet tyre rule reconsidered because it compromises safety," Brawn said on Friday after a rain-hit first qualifying session for Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix.

The session turned into a lottery, with changing conditions for drivers who went out one-by-one under the new single lap qualifying format.

Some struggled on a slippery track while others, such as Jaguar's Australian Mark Webber - who set the fastest time - were able to take advantage of improving conditions.

The earlier free practice had seen drivers skidding and spinning in the torrential rain and Friday's qualifying was the first time that the new one lap format had been run in wet weather.

"If we have to run in these conditions we should have at least two types of wet tyre from which to choose," said Bridgestone technical manager Hisao Suganuma.

BAR boss David Richards, whose team run on Bridgestone tyres, said the tyres were a key issue.

Both Bridgestone and Michelin brought intermediate tyres to Brazil rather than full wet weather tyres, a decision that left no room for manoeuvre on Friday.

"It does bring into question whether it is sensible to only have one wet tyre available to us, as determined by the new regulations," said Richards. "I am sure this is something that will have to be looked at."

The governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) announced rule changes to cut costs and liven up the sport last October after a meeting of its Formula One commission.

It said that teams would be allowed a choice of two different dry tyres at each race but only one wet tyre.

"That is a big concern, the rules of having only one wet tyre," said BAR's Canadian Jacques Villeneuve. "That is extremely, extremely dangerous because it has forced the tyre manufacturers to build a tyre that will drive until you can put slicks on. And that's a tyre that cannot work when it's wet.

"It's just impossible to drive it in the wet, it aquaplanes. But (FIA) president Max Mosley is always trying to make rules that are safe, he's always pushing for safety and he will see the logic in having two types of different tyres that would make it a lot safer."