The F1 rule book may nullify many of the points scored in the 2003 season after Ferrari said it would contest the legality of the Michelin tyres rival teams used in races already run this year.
The F1 rule book may nullify many of the points scored in the 2003 season after Ferrari said it would contest the legality of the Michelin tyres rival teams used in races already run this year.
By contesting the results, the championship may eventually be decided in a courtroom rather than out on the track. And after Ferrari’s disappointing performance in Hungary, the Scuderia could squash McLaren-Mercedes’ and Williams-BMW’s title hopes without even turning up at the Italian Grand Prix on September 14.
As CARtoday.com reported this week, the Bridgestone-backed Italian team argues that Williams and McLaren have been using Michelin tyres that pass pre-race controls but are illegal during the race.
“There is a facility within the regulations to investigate any matter if previously unknown information becomes available,” Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn said. “It’s not what we want but Ferrari are very angry and frustrated as it is now clear that a large number of the Michelin teams were running illegal tyres for a considerable amount of time”.
“Measurements were taken after the Hungarian race (last month) that clearly showed that there were tyres above the legal limit and we’ve got to see what develops because we’re not happy with that situation,” he added
Michelin is believed to have been using the same design of tyre since the San Marino Grand Prix in April. But, as CARtoday.com reported on Thursday, the French tyre company has built new tyres for the Monza event to avoid any further controversy.
In reaction, Williams-BMW technical director Patrick Head told the : “Ferrari have always proved as adept in Formula One political matters as they have in terms of their competitiveness on the track and have been very effective in lobbying for changes which work in their favour.
“But perhaps that’s all part of the F1 business and maybe you need to be able to do that,” he added.
However, Brawn said that “Michelin had attempted to circumnavigate the regulations. It would be wrong if a car won the championship using blatantly illegal tyres. That is not right.
“It devalues the competition and we must not allow people to win championships when they are contravening the regulations,” Brawn added.