Edwards says 16-inch tyre won't race

The French tyre supplier, who has generally failed to match the performance of rivals Bridgestone so far this year, has already worked with the 16-inch tyre in practice this season, but the rubber is yet to make its race debut.

All the Bridgestone teams were offered the 16-inch tyres for last weekend's race in Donington, but rain on race day meant the unit were not used. Ducati rider Loris Capirossi was planning to race the tyres, designed to offer a larger contact patch with the ground.

While the Japanese tyres seem to be ready to be raced, Edwards reckons Michelin still needs to make progress before its own unit can be used.

"I don't think it will happen this year personally," said Edwards. "They need some more time. I can't say too much but they are developing the 16 and they need more time. There is an advantage but there is a disadvantage.

"We need to get rid of the disadvantage and keep the advantage. It will be ready, I think next year we don't have much testing time so I don't think we will be playing with it too much."