Ferrari: We caused tyre quarrel.

Ferrari has today admitted that they are responsible for the current tyre row, after they complained to the sport's governing body, the FIA.

Ross Brawn, technical director at Ferrari, told Italian newspaper, Gazzetta dello Sport: "It all started in Budapest when Bridgestone got hold of some photos taken in the paddock by a Japanese photographer.

"They showed in an unequivocal way that the front Michelin tyres had an excessively large tread at the end of the race or after being used.

"We turned to [race director] Charlie Whiting who, on the basis of his measurements and the photos, then sent the famous letter.

"We could have pretended to have seen nothing, to not let the FIA know and then lodge a complaint at the following race, but that didn't seem like the right thing to do.

"I hope Michelin realise that they have enjoyed an illegal advantage for so long, too long, and that they conform to what the FIA sets out."

Since Whiting's letter, Michelin have responded angrily, and yesterday's Pascal Vasselon told the same paper: "If the FIA want to disqualify 10 cars from the final results, then go ahead.

"Since our tyres have been considered legal up to now there is no reason to change them. Above all we question the change in the interpretation of the rules with the championship still under way. The tyres for these Monza tests were manufactured in the days immediately after the Hungarian Grand Prix and there was clearly not time to change them."

Michelin though may be softening and appear to be covering all options. In an interview on www.michelinsport.com, Michelin boss Pierre Dupasquier commented: "The new interpretation of the rules by the FIA has forced us to react. You don't think for one moment that Michelin would not respond to the challenge? Our people have been working 24 hours a day since last Wednesday and new tyres are being tested in Monza as we speak.

"For anyone that knows anything about the tyre world, to do what we've just managed is a huge achievement and this is only possible thanks to the hard work and fast reaction time of our teams here in Clermont-Ferrand."

Whether Michelin will be forced to use these 'new' tyres next weekend remains to be seen, although the FIA's position seems clear.

Max Mosley, president of the FIA, told British newspaper The Guardian: "Charlie Whiting has already made it clear in Hungary that in future we would be looking at real tread width. We realised that our previous method of measurement might need to be reviewed."