FIA hits back at Michelin

Michelin issued a statement on Friday morning claiming that they were 'perplexed' by the decision to allow tyre changes to return in 2006, after just one season when tyres had to last for qualifying and a whole race distance.

But the FIA has not taken kindly to Michelin's stance - and said it is baffled about why the French tyre manufacturer is upset considering at least one of its partner teams must have voted in favour of the move in this week's Formula One Commission meeting.

"The FIA has noted the latest press statement made by Michelin regarding the 2006 Formula One regulations," said the statement, which is the latest in a series of public spats that have taken place between the FIA and Michelin ever since the farcical United States Grand Prix.

"The decision to reintroduce tyre changes in Formula One was supported by an overwhelming majority of the Formula One Commission members and by a unanimous vote of the FIA World Motor Sport Council.

"The Formula One Commission is made up of all the F1 stakeholders including representatives of the teams (10), event promoters (8), engine suppliers (1), tyre suppliers (1), sponsors (2) and just one representative each from the governing body and the commercial rights holder.

"Michelin are clearly confused, but it is difficult to understand which part of the very basic and entirely democratic voting procedures adopted by the FIA Michelin is perplexed by.

"As Michelin themselves point out this is the same regulation as in 2004 when, we must remind them, Michelin tyres ran without problem at Indianapolis."