New Michelin Tyres Approved by FIA

Formula One's ruling body, the FIA, has given the green light to the new tyres French manufacturer Michelin plan to use at the Italian Grand Prix next weekend.

McLaren and Williams team bosses met FIA technical delegate Charlie Whiting at McLaren's Woking headquarters on Monday over a tighter interpretation of the rules that they fear could see them disqualified from Sunday's Italian Grand Prix.

Only a limited amount of tread is allowed in contact with the road and World Champions Ferrari suspect that Williams and McLaren's Michelin tyres break the rules by changing their characteristics during the race.

Michelin, whose teams have won four of the last five races, said their tyres are legal, but tested a new construction that they plan to use at the Monza race in order to avoid possible disqualifications. Today the FIA said the new tyres complied with the regulations.

"During a meeting on Monday with representatives of Michelin and the McLaren and Williams Formula One teams, the FIA were shown examples of a new Michelin tyre before and after use," said the FIA in a statement. "The FIA technical department has confirmed that it believes these tyres will comply with the Formula One regulations if used in the same way at Monza.

"A number of press reports have suggested that the FIA has changed or re-interpreted the tyre regulations. This is not correct. The maximum tread width has been 270mm since 1999. The FIA has never suggested that tread width was unlimited once the tyre was in use.

"With hindsight, it is regrettable that those using the earlier Michelin front tyres did not consult the FIA about possible excess tread width as soon as they became aware of it. However, as far as the FIA technical department is concerned, the matter is now closed and the Championship can continue with all teams on an equal footing."

Ferrari's Michael Schumacher leads Williams' Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya by one point with Finland's Kimi Raikkonen a further point behind for McLaren with three races remaining. Williams are eight points ahead of champions Ferrari in the constructors' standings