FIA demands wet tyre solution

The rule, which forces Bridgestone and Michelin to bring just one type of wet weather tyre to a grand prix, was responsible for the delayed start to the event and played a part in the retirement of eight drivers.

The problems arose through the tyre manufacturer's interpretation of the rules, both Bridgestone and Michelin chose to nominate intermediate-type tyres, although the French company claims that its rubber was closer to a full-wet specification with a deeper groove than its Japanese rival used.

The excess of water around the circuit caused rivulets to form across the track between Turns 2 and 3 and this claimed six cars during race. Despite the accidents in Brazil, the FIA is not going to step in and force change, instead an FIA spokesman said: "We will listen to any proposals that are put on the table."

Michelin's competition boss Pierre Dupasquier believes that action must be taken to solve the current situation - especially since a tyre manufacturer theoretically gains a performance advantage by bringing intermediate-spec rubber to a race. That is because the need for full wets is lessened when the FIA sends out the Safety Car if conditions are deemed too dangerous.

"We will agree to anything that could make the racing safer," said Dupasquier, "but, unfortunately, because of our competitors choice, the FIA wisely waited for the suitable conditions [by using the Safety Car]. I don't blame them for that.

"We will make some proposals and it will be discussed in England. We have already made some to the FIA, not to change the rules because one tyre is fine, but to oblige everybody to come up with a suitable tyre."

Bridgestone feels that the simplest solution would be to revert back to the old rule of allowing two types of rain tyre. "It would be a better solution from our point of view, and from the point of view of safety," said its technical boss Hisao Suganuma.

The matter will come up for discussion when the teams meet with FIA president Max Mosley for a summit on the new rules on the Thursday before the San Marino Grand Prix.