Stoner rules out using 16-inch tyre

The Ducati Marlboro rider is currently 14 points clear of Valentino Rossi in the standings, and thinks it will be better to stick with the tried and tested old design tyres for now.

"We are only testing the 16 inch so far," said Stoner, who won last time out at Barcelona. "We are not too keen on using it as we are going to stick with what we know. We will try and understand it a little more as the season goes on."

Bridgestone has made available the new 16-inch tyres to all its teams for this weekend's British Grand Prix, but it is not known yet which outfits will choose to run it.

Stoner admits that he is uncertain how he will fair this weekend, as he confesses the track is not wholly to his liking.

"I've had some good races and bad races here, and it is not one of my favourites. It is very difficult and definitely a challenge, so it is going to be very interesting to see what happens this weekend.

"We have always had a bit of trouble over the years trying to get the right balance for the hard braking parts, and then handling well for the long flowing corners. But so far this year we seem to be doing a good job in finding the right balance."

Despite winning four races so far this year, Stoner is not getting carried away with his championship ambitions.

"Going into this year I definitely didn't expect these kind of results, but they have happened and I am trying my best every race.

"So far my worst position is fifth so we have to be pretty happy with that. No matter what happens for the rest of the season I am going to be very happy with what we have done so far.

"I think if we continue the form we have had, then hopefully we can get a few more results like we have."