Sole Tyre Supplier Ruled Out

The WMSC also said there are no plans to change the rules to limit the number of tyre manufacturers competing in Formula One at least until 2008.

FIA president Max Mosley, in discussing radical changes to the sport last year, proposed the introduction of a rule to use a single tyre supplier that will be contracted by the FIA.

While Japanese manufacturer Bridgestone said they would stay in Formula One in spite of the rule, rivals Michelin admitted they would re-consider their position in the sport had the regulations been changed. Michelin motorsport boss Pierre Dupasquier reiterated the French company's position this month.

"Some ideas tend to linger for a long time and there will always be people who would like the sport to go down that road," said Dupasquier last week. "Michelin has consistently made it clear that it only makes sense to commit to motorsport if you can compare to rival manufacturers and prove that your tyres offer a performance advantage.

"If there were no such rivalry in place, our participation would be a matter of patronage rather than competition. That would not be as interesting for us, or the teams. A number of Formula One principals contacted us in 1999, when there was only one tyre manufacturer involved. I remember that very well."

Although Mosley said last year there had been unanimous backing for the proposal to have a single tyre supplier as early as next year, the WMSC confirmed today there will be no rule changes at least for three more years.

"The Technical Regulations will remain unchanged for 2005, 2006 and 2007," said the WMSC in a statement. "However, a proposal for change, unanimously supported by the teams, would be considered by the WMSC.

"The current rule which places no limit on the number of tyre manufactures competing in the Championship would still remain in force at least until 2008.

"The Teams would be invited to discuss the 2008 Formula One Technical Regulations in a meeting on April 15, 2005, with further meetings during the Summer if necessary. In accordance with the requirements of the Concorde Agreement, the new regulations would be published by the FIA no later than December 31, 2005."