Following a meeting with McLaren-Mercedes and Williams-BMW, the FIA said the new Michelin front tyre would pass its technical inspection at the Italian Grand Prix. But will Ferrari act on its threat to challenge the results of the season’s earlier races?
Following a meeting with McLaren-Mercedes and Williams-BMW, the FIA said the new Michelin front tyre would pass its technical inspection at the Italian Grand Prix. But will Ferrari act on its threat to challenge the results of the season’s earlier races?
The FIA’s technical delegate Charlie Whiting on Tuesday said he was satisfied that the new Michelin front tyre would comply with the FIA’s longstanding 270 mm front tread rule in the new post-race inspection, as long as it was used in the same way as it was in testing at Monza last week.
A statement from the FIA said: “With hindsight, it is regrettable that those using Michelin tyres did not consult the FIA about possible excess tread width as soon as they became aware of it. However, as far as the FIA technical department is concerned, the matter is now closed and the championship can continue with all teams on an equal footing.”
The FIA might regard the matter as closed, but CARtoday.com reported last week that Ferrari said it would contest the legality of the Michelin tyres rival teams used in races already run this year, which means the championship may eventually be decided in a courtroom rather than out on the track.
“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 is 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”.
Michelin then hit back at Ferrari, saying “it is not for Ross Brawn to decide the legality of Michelin’s tyres” and threatened to sue the Scuderia kingpin for slander.
Ferrari and Bridgestone has since cooled down and there has been no indication that a legal battle is on the horizon. However, Spanish racing sensation Fernando Alonso has slammed Ferrari as bad losers, adding that the row was just sour grapes by the once-dominant Italian team.
“The Michelin tyres function better this season than the Bridgestone it’s as simple as that,” the 22-year-old Renault pilot said. “I find this situation comical. When Schumacher, Ferrari and Bridgestone win everything no one complains about their tyres. Now that Michael and Ferrari are losing, it’s a drama.”