Ferrari's Byrne Against Return to Slick Tyres

Ferrari's chief designer Rory Byrne has warned against the immediate reintroduction of slick tyres into Formula One because it could put drivers' safety at risk.

Team bosses will meet at a Heathrow hotel later today to discuss changes to the Formula One regulations in a bid to improve entertainment and decrease costs.

A move away from grooved tyres and back to slicks is one of several items on the agenda, but Byrne is worried about the implications of increasing speeds on the current car designs.

"If slicks are re-introduced there will be a reasonable increase in cornering speeds and a reduction in lap times and that will clearly be a safety concern," said Byrne.

"We would need to speak with Bridgestone and have their input on the amount of grip we would get and whether our suspension could handle it. I would imagine there would be quite a significant increase in grip."

Byrne, who has masterminded the design of Ferrari's World Championship winners over the last four years, insisted it would be impossible to instigate regulation changes in time for next season.

"Certainly there could not be a change for next year as people have already designed their cars and there is no scope for change," he said. "We are far too far in.

"And although I would find the challenge interesting, people keep saying the regulations must remain stable to keep the costs down and every time we change them, the teams with more resources are better off."