Mosley rules out ‘knee-jerk’ rule changes

According to the teams, Michelin's return to take on Bridgestone has resulted in intensive development that has already made the tyres a second a lap quicker in winter testing compared to 2000.

New aerodynamic rules, including a higher front wing and a rear wing limited to just three elements, have already been introduced by the sport's governing body, the FIA. But some teams have expressed concern that if development continues at its present rate, a second wave of regulation changes may have to be imposed to limit corner speeds.

However, FIA president Mosley has ruled out rushing in rule changes if lap times tumble.

"The new rules were put forward by the F1 engineers to compensate for an anticipated drop in lap times due to competition between the tyre companies," he said. "If the aerodynamic changes [designers] put forward are seriously wrong, we'll look at [new] measures, but it will be done calmly and rationally."

Meanwhile, Ferrari team principal Jean Todt has countered claims by Williams technical director Patrick Head that Michelin will protest the condition of rival Bridgestone's worn tyre grooves at the end of one of the early-season races.

Head, whose cars run on the French rubber, believes the FIA has left the interpretation of the rules on groove wear deliberately vague and that a protest will be used by Michelin to obtain a clarification. However, Todt said he feels the Bridgestones run by Ferrari, McLaren and four other teams will not cause a protest.

"I feel that we will be able to control the rule," he said. " The tyres should work quite smoothly, and we have discussed it with the teams and with Max Mosley."

Bridgestone race manager Taka Horio added: "I don't think it is a worry. We have had no problems last year, so we are just waiting for the FIA's view."