Tyre Bosses Against Extra Grooves

Four grooves are good but five would be too many, Formula One's tyre manufacturers said on Thursday.

Pierre Dupasquier and Hiroshi Yasukawa -- Formula One bosses of Michelin and Bridgestone -- are opposed to any move by the sport's ruling body to increase the number of grooves on tyres to help reduce speeds.

"I think the current regulations are very good," said Yasukawa. "I think if we put on another groove this gives a bit more difficulty and everything is just a mess."

International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Max Mosley was quoted recently as saying that adding various measures might be considered, including adding a fifth groove.

Dupasquier said the FIA had a responsibility to slow the cars but Michelin, who returned to Formula One this season after a 17 year break, would like an alternative measure.

"We would like to have a more technical device than just one more groove, which will make the tyre perform even more sluggishly than it is now," he said.

"There are ways to do it. We made suggestions already but it's a little bit more complicated...there are ways to take off some rubber from the ground with a more positive and driveable tyre."