Minardi to File Complaint Against Bridgestone

The Minardi team will file an official complaint with Formula One's ruling body after they have been unable to finalise a deal with Japanese tyre supplier Bridgestone.

Minardi used Michelin tyres last season but the deal with the French manufacturer ended at the end of 2002 and they expect Minardi to switch to their Japanese rivals, the only other recognised supplier in the sport.

Under the terms of the Concorde Agreement, Bridgestone - who currently supply only four of the 10 teams - are bound to supply Minardi but the team also have to pay for the tyres. Minardi have been forced to use Avon F3000 slick tyres at Valencia this week and team principal Paul Stoddart said the small Anglo-Italian squad will file a complaint with the FIA in order to get a solution to the problem.

"It is with great regret that, yet again, Minardi is forced to deal with the fact Bridgestone has chosen not to supply the team with tyres at Valencia today," said Stoddart. "Sadly, we are now left with no choice but to make an official complaint to the FIA, as we believe Bridgestone is in clear breach of its obligations under the FIA F1 2003 Sporting Regulations.

"After three-and-a-half months of trying to negotiate an agreement, I think the situation can best be summed up by the fact that, not once during this time, despite repeated attempts, have I been able either to arrange a meeting, or even to speak with the Bridgestone Director of Motorsport, Hiroshi Yasukawa. I simply cannot believe that a company of Bridgestone's standing could treat any customer in this way.

"Unfortunately, because of Bridgestone’s total lack of communication and cooperation over this matter, we have wasted two valuable days of pre-season testing here in Valencia â€" something that, in the current climate, Minardi could ill afford to do."