FIA to Change Tyre Rule

The FIA has proposed an amendment to Formula 1’s tyre rules for 2008 in order to avoid a repeat of the problems encountered at the recent US Grand Prix. The new rule contains a provision for the stewards to exercise their discretion and approve the use of tyres other than those nominated by the manufacturer prior to a race meeting in the event of an unexpected problem.
Although both of Michelin’s two allowable sets of tyres turned out to be inappropriate for the USGP, the manufacturer could have flown in addition tyres form one of its production facilities. The new clause would allow this and states: “If, in the opinion of the appointed tyre supplier and FIA technical delegate, the nominated tyre specification proves to be technically unsuitable, the stewards may authorise the use of additional tyres to a different specification.”

One interesting feature of the additional 2008 clause is that the words “appointed supplier” appear to pre-suppose that F1 will be a single supplier series by the time the ruling comes into effect.