from F1-Live.com
FIA better sort it out IMO as this is getting like WWE
The situation's getting more complicated
Between Michelin and the FIA [30/08/03 - 14:59]
Dupasquier is worried...
he tyre situation is going to make a lot of noise these days, especially if the FIA doesn't change its position, which is not very clear, just like the sporting regulation on that subject for that matter may say some people.
Article 77 describes in details the characteristics that a tyre must have but it is clearly stated that these elements are for a new tyre, inflated at 1,4 bar. But now the FIA is saying that these characteristics must be followed all the time, including during the race or at a control point after the race. This changes everything !
The goal of Bridgestone and Michelin is to make the most competitive tyres as they can and to achieve this, the engineers must follow clear rules. If the regulation stipulates that a new tyre must follow certain characteristics, it is because the FIA is fully aware that under racing conditions, a tyre heats up, wears down and deforms. If the FIA wish to define the characteristics of a used tyre, it should be mentioned in the regulation, which is not the case at the moment.
This situation upsets Pierre Dupasquier because the FIA want the new interpretation of article 77 to be valid as soon as the Italian GP, which is absolutely impossible according to Duspasquier. As a matter of fact, the tyres for the Italian GP are already made or almost ready. So what can Michelin offer to their customers in Italy ? A tyre that doesn't exist or a new tyre that has never been tested before ? In these conditions, it may be better to just stay home...
That is exactly what Pierre Dupasquier is thinking about : "If the FIA stay on its position, it is possible that the five teams using Michelin tyres will not make the start of the Italian GP," declared the Michelin Competition boss.
This situation comes in at the worse possible time, just when the championship battle is at its best. The Bridgestone engineers were very capable of replying to Michelin with new, improved products before the end of the season, especially that private testing will be starting once again in a couple of days.
FIA Sporting regulation, article 77
77 Quantity and type of tyres :
b) All dry-weather tyres must incorporate circumferential grooves square to the wheel axis and around the entire circumference of the contact surface of each tyre.
c) Each front dry-weather tyre, when new, must incorporate 4 grooves which are :
- arranged symmetrically about the centre of the tyre tread ;
- at least 14mm wide at the contact surface and which taper uniformly to a minimum of 10mm at the lower surface ;
- at least 2.5mm deep across the whole lower surface ;
- 50mm (+/- 1.0mm) between centres.
Furthermore, the tread width of the front tyres must not exceed 270mm.
d) Each rear dry-weather tyre, when new, must incorporate 4 grooves which are:
- arranged symmetrically about the centre of the tyre tread ;
- at least 14mm wide at the contact surface and which taper uniformly to a minimum of 10mm at the lower surface ;
- at least 2.5mm deep across the whole lower surface ;
- 50mm (+/- 1.0mm) between centres.
The measurements referred to in c) and d) above will be taken when the tyre is fitted to a wheel and inflated to 1.4 bar.
and Barrichello.
Michael Schumacher in 8th
