Michelin Criticises FIA’s ‘Incoherent’ Rules

Michelin has criticised the FIA’s new Formula 1 rules, hitting out against the association’s “hidden motives.” In an official statement the French tyre manufacturer said it is “perplexed by the step backwards of the FIA’s F1 regulation for 2006” which it says are “incoherent with the FIA’s proclaimed policy to reduce costs.”

Rather than reduce costs Michelin says the opposite will happen and logistics costs will immediately increase by 15 per cent. “This decision reveals a lack of technical understanding of the product and of what a tyre really is,” the statement continued.

On October 26 2005, the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council adopted new rules concerning the use of tyres in 2006: restoration of tyre changes during the race as well as increase in the number of tyres allotted per team. This is to be effective immediately for the 2006 season.