Stoddart Calls for Tyre Rules Re-Think

Minardi boss Paul Stoddart has called on the sport's governing body, the FIA, to relax new Formula One rules that permit tyre manufacturers to supply their teams with just one type of tread to cater for wet conditions.

Stoddart's plea, on safety grounds, came after Friday's wet practice and qualifying sessions for the Brazilian Grand Prix, in which teams were forced to run on the Interlagos circuit in heavy rain with intermediate tyres.

The Australian, whose team use Bridgestone tyres, said the issue needed addressing at next Friday's meeting between the teams and the FIA to review Formula One's new rules.

"You've got to look at it and talk about it when the team managers, the technical directors and the working group meet next week," said Australian Stoddart. "I'm sure it will be discussed at the meeting but we are all in the same boat. The problem for the drivers is that, driving on the new tarmac sections, it was like an ice skating rink."

New rules brought in by the FIA prevent Japanese manufacturer Bridgestone and French rivals Michelin from bringing more than one type of wet weather tyre to each race. Both have so far gambled on providing their teams with intermediates that work well in damp and dry conditions but cannot cope in heavy rain, leaving drivers to run the risk of aquaplaning off the track.

"We've got one choice of wets and you've got that all weekend," said Stoddart. "This weekend we've got something close to intermediate. Everyone (of the Bridgestone runners) is on the same and in the same position."

Drivers had been prepared to boycott this afternoon's qualifying session if they felt the rain made the track dangerous after several of them helplessly slithered off the circuit during morning practice.