Michelin have Changed their Tyres, Says Mosley

FIA president Max Mosley has weighed in on the latest controversy revolving around the Michelin tyres, saying the FIA have reasons to believe the Michelin tyres are no longer the same as they were when presented at the beginning of 2003.

The FIA issued a warning to all teams last week that the width of the front tyres' tread will now be measured on used tyres - whereas before the tread width was measured on new tyres only. This, after the FIA received information at the Hungarian Grand Prix which lead them to discover the contact patch on Michelin's front tyres increases in use to more than the allowed 270mm.

However, earlier today Michelin motorsport directory Pierre Dupasquier said his company has been using the same tyre dimensions throughout this season, stating: "The geometry of our tyres has not changed at all since 2001."

But Mosley believes the tyres have indeed changed recently. The FIA president told The Guardian: "We have reason to believe that the tyres in Hungary were not identical to those in use at the start of the season. There may also have been changes to the way those tyres are being used."

Mosley, speaking to veteran journalist Richard Williams, also refuted suggestions the FIA was tipped off by Ferrari in a visit he and Charlie Whiting paid to the Italian team's factory in Maranello last Wednesday.

"The subject was mentioned but not discussed in any detail," Mosley said yesterday. "The visit had no influence on tyre measurement. Charlie Whiting had already made it clear in Hungary that in [the] future we would be looking at real tread width."

Mosley confirmed that the issue of Michelin's expanding tread width was brought to the FIA's attention in Hungary, although he did not say by whom. "We realised that our previous method of measurement might need to be reviewed," he added.