Michelin Threaten to Sue Newspaper for Slander

French tyre makers Michelin threaten to take legal actions against Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport and possibly Ferrari, for suggesting their Formula One tyres are illegal.

Gazzetta dello Sport published yesterday an interview with Ferrari technical director, Ross Brawn, titled 'Brawn Accuses: the Michelins are Illegal'.

In a letter sent to the editor of Gazzetta dello Sport today, Michelin refute Brawn's accusation, stating their tyres have always conformed to the FIA regulations, and requesting the newspaper to publish a correction absolving Michelin. Michelin further state that they reserve the right to seek legal actions against the newspaper.

The full letter from Michelin:

Following the publication of an article implicating Michelin in your September 3, 2003 edition, the Management of Michelin would like to bring to your attention the following points:

1. Since the San Marino F1 Grand Prix, 2001, the FIA has always authorised all our front tyres whose 'tread width must not exceed 270mm'. This measurement has been taken by the FIA on new tyres, as stated in the FIA Sporting Regulations article 77)C.

2. The day after the Hungarian Grand Prix 2003, the FIA unilaterally changed the interpretation of its regulation by stating that the front tyre tread width must now be measured before and after use. Michelin is ready to try to conform to this new interpretation of the regulation, but continues to feel that it is necessary to have more time. The time-scale given, the next Monza Grand Prix, being much too short.

3. By making Ross Brawn's mistaken declaration the title of your article, you are misleading your readers and it is not for Ross Brawn to decide the legality of Michelin’s tyres. We therefore request that you rectify this information, remembering that Ross Brawn’s grievances are highly prejudicial to Michelin.

4. Michelin is saddened to see the great house of Ferrari involved in such false accusations. Michelin would like to remind you that it won its first F1 Grand Prix in 1978 in Rio and its first world title in 1979, both with the Ferrari team, a team for which Michelin has always had the greatest respect.

5. Michelin of course reserves the right to take legal action following the slanderous remarks of the Ferrari team-member.