Michelin teams praise narrower tyre

Michelin will use a narrower profile tyre this weekend to ensure its rubber complies with the new FIA measurements, which will take place after the race for the first time on Sunday. The new tyre was a hit when tested at Monza last week, and Michelin motorsport director Pierre Dupasquier is adamant the teams can take the fight to their Bridgestone-shod rivals, but admits Ferrari will be strong.

"I'm sure our main rival Ferrari will be a factor because its chassis characteristics suit circuits such as this," he said. "If the narrow front tyres they prefer are going to help them anywhere, it will be here at Monza!"

The Michelin teams noted a performance advantage over the old wider tyre in testing last week, while Toyota's Cristiano da Matta hit out at the circumstances surrounding the need for new tyres, caused when Ferrari complained to the sport's governing body, the FIA.

"Some people were too used to winning and now they are getting their butts kicked, so they are trying to react in an improper way," he told AUTOSPORT. "The bad news for them is that we tested a narrower tyre and it was even better than the one we had before. So we have to thank them for the tip."

For the full story, read this week's AUTOSPORT magazine, on sale now.