From the Herald Sun
Radical F1 tyre deflated
19feb02
A RADICAL new Formula One tyre has been deemed "too groovy" by the sport's governing body.
The tyre is likely to be banned if its manufacturer or any of the F1 teams tries to use it at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 3.
French tyre maker Michelin had reportedly been intending to give a Melbourne debut to the tyre with an innovative groove pattern and altered "shoulders".
Website formula1.com reported Michelin was in dispute with Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) over the interpretation of tyre regulations.
Two of the sport's top three teams, McLaren and Williams, will race on Michelin rubber this season, while world champion Ferrari remains on Japanese Bridgestones.
A source at one of the tyre companies said the rules were too vague and the FIA's strong stand against the design had come too close to the first race.
FIA's London-based president Max Mosley said: "There are certain things being discussed for Melbourne, things we know about.
"There is one thing we know is illegal and we have told the people concerned. I hope they won't turn up with it in Melbourne."
Sources within FIA were quoted as saying there were concerns "over proposals for asymmetric grooves and sloping shoulder designs".
"We think the grooves should be uniform across the tyre whichever way you look at them, but some people disagree," one of the sources said.
"Some people think that if one shoulder slopes more than the other that would be all right. We don't."
Radical F1 tyre deflated
19feb02
A RADICAL new Formula One tyre has been deemed "too groovy" by the sport's governing body.
The tyre is likely to be banned if its manufacturer or any of the F1 teams tries to use it at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 3.
French tyre maker Michelin had reportedly been intending to give a Melbourne debut to the tyre with an innovative groove pattern and altered "shoulders".
Website formula1.com reported Michelin was in dispute with Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) over the interpretation of tyre regulations.
Two of the sport's top three teams, McLaren and Williams, will race on Michelin rubber this season, while world champion Ferrari remains on Japanese Bridgestones.
A source at one of the tyre companies said the rules were too vague and the FIA's strong stand against the design had come too close to the first race.
FIA's London-based president Max Mosley said: "There are certain things being discussed for Melbourne, things we know about.
"There is one thing we know is illegal and we have told the people concerned. I hope they won't turn up with it in Melbourne."
Sources within FIA were quoted as saying there were concerns "over proposals for asymmetric grooves and sloping shoulder designs".
"We think the grooves should be uniform across the tyre whichever way you look at them, but some people disagree," one of the sources said.
"Some people think that if one shoulder slopes more than the other that would be all right. We don't."