Michelin reacts angrily to tyre rule changes.

The remaining three races in the 2003 FIA Formula One World Championship could be thrown into confusion following news that the FIA plans to implement a new interpretation of the sporting regulations concerning F1 tyres.

According to a statement released by Michelin today this will apply to the 'definition of the front tyres tread width, which was so far measured when new'.

The FIA now wants to consider the width of the front contact patch after the tyre has been used on track.

Michelin has responded by saying that it is 'open to discuss this regulation change' and will 'help to define a measurement procedure, which could be enforced in 2004'. However, the French company did not 'feel it is realistic to ask for it before the Italian Grand Prix [on September 14]'.

The full release from Michelin also noted:

"Our front tyre profile has been deemed to comply with the F1 Regulations in writing by the FIA. The controls have been made on new tyres, which confirms the interpretation of article 77.c).

"The procedure to measure the width of a contact patch as required now is unknown at the moment, which prevents any further work. We can expect some difficulties in the definition since a tyre in its use can be in systematic contact with various 'objects', for example curbs, which, according to their profile and position, can touch up as far as the middle of the side-walls.

"All Michelin's partners are concerned by this regulation change, as they all use the same front tyre profile."

If the rule change is upheld - and at the moment it is a big 'if', it could prove to be bad news for Williams and McLaren, and rather better news for Ferrari, Bridgestone and Michael Schumacher.