New tyre rules were introduced - after consultation between Michelin,
Bridgestone and Dunlop - for the start of this season and mean that the Michelin and Bridgestone riders have to select their tyre allocation before each grand prix weekend begins. Dunlop is exempt from the restrictions until it achieves two
MotoGP wins in dry conditions.
Bridgestone has adapted exceptionally to the new rules, with the German GP being its only uncompetitive race so far, but the Michelin riders have suffered more hit-and-miss fortunes - contributing to Brivio's star rider Rossi dropping a near insurmountable 85 points behind Bridgestone-shod Ducati star
Casey Stoner.
The lack of balance between the two leading tyre manufacturers has also been blamed for the predictable racing seen at the past four rounds - Michelin and
Dani Pedrosa were dominant at the Sachsenring, before Bridgestone and Stoner bounced back with start-to-finish wins at Laguna Seca, Brno and Misano - prompting many, including Rossi, to call for a rule rethink.
However, perhaps surprisingly, Brivio thinks the tyre rules should remain unchanged. The Italian is wary that complaints by the Michelin teams will be seen as sour grapes and believes that the best solution is simply for Yamaha and Michelin to work harder.
"Ducati, Casey and Bridgestone have done a fantastic job - and not just because of the new tyre rules," he said. "My personal opinion is that the tyre rules should not change because if they do then it will be easy for some people to say they have been changed to help Michelin, Valentino or whatever. We just need to improve and become more competitive.
"[Yamaha's] top speed problem was very clear since Qatar, the very first race. Everybody could see that. As we've always said, we need to make our bike faster and make our tyres better. We are working very well with Michelin, very hard. Both Yamaha and Michelin are fully committed and putting in a lot of effort," added the Italian, who also confirmed that the factory Yamaha team will remain with Michelin in 2008.
