Michelin to Follow Instructions from Teams

World Championship challengers Williams and McLaren are set to decide during this week's Monza test whether to request Michelin to make a new tyre for next weekend's Italian Grand Prix or continue with the currently available tyres.

The two top teams and the other three Michelin runners were thrown into confusion when the sport's governing body, the FIA, declared last week that their tyres may be deemed illegal under a new measurement method.

They undertook several checks during the test at Monza today and will follow them up with more during the rest of the week, as they try to assess whether their current tyres will pass post-race scrutineering or not.

"The guys are testing today, but we do not know our plans yet because they are hesitating," Michelin motorsport director Pierre Dupasquier told Atlas F1. "We still have time. Everything is possible. Miracles are possible. We can make a new tyre."

Dupasquier had previously suggested the Michelin teams could boycott the Italian race because of the ruling, but BMW motorsport director Mario Thiessen promised Williams will be there.

Michelin also said earlier today they will continue to use the current tyres, rejecting the FIA's suggestion that these tyres could be deemed illegal. However, the decision which tyres to use at the final three rounds of the 2003 World Championship depends on the teams, and therefore Michelin must wait instructions from their partners.