No change for tyre rules, despite Michelin threats

Michelin wants the sport's governing body, the FIA, to introduce a precise rule on the durability of the grooves on F1 tyres, according to this week's Autosport magazine. The French company claims that because there is no specified minimum depth for a groove after a race, there is a risk that tyres will be worn down to slicks to gain an advantage when it takes on Bridgestone next season.

Michelin's competitions boss Pierre Dupasquier has threatened to protest the results of every race if no clarification is issued. But Autosport understands that the FIA will not change the rules to specify durability or a minimum post-race groove depth. . Instead, it will rely on the regulation that says the championship will be contested on grooved tyres and will jump on any manufacturer it deems to be gaining an advantage by deliberately wearing down the grooves.

Insiders believe that Michelin pressing for the rule changes may be an attempt to negate the tyre data that Bridgestone has built up since 1998.