Bridgestone goes on groove offensive

The French company has come up with an idea to slow down the drop-off in performance of Formula 1 tyres as the grooves begin to wear down. Michelin claims the asymetrical grooves on its new tyre are within the regulations, even though motorsport's governing body, the FIA, has already warned that they are not (see last week's AUTOSPORT magazine). The FIA's stance may lead Michelin to decide not to use the new tyre in Australia.

Bridgestone's statement read: "The company is pleased to confirm that the tyres it is taking to Melbourne will comply fully with the FIA regulations, that is four grooves with the correct dimensions set down in the rules."

The Japanese manufacturer's technical manager Hisao Suganuma, added: "The FIA regulations state that each front dry-weather tyre, when new, must have four circumferential grooves which must be arranged symmetrically about the centre of the tyre tread, at least 14mm wide at the contact surface and which taper uniformally to a minimum of 10mm at the lower surface.

"When grooved tyres were introduced in 1998, we believe the FIA's intention was for all four grooves to be symmetrical. We have followed that spirit ever since.

"Bridgestone's tyres for the 2002 Australian GP will comply with the rules set down by the FIA and, visually, will be the same as officials, competitors and spectators have come to expect in F1."

If Bridgestone wanted to protest Michelin's rubber, it could only do so by convincing one of its teams to make the move. Tyre manufacturers are not able to lodge protests.