Looks like FIA have given their verdict:

[Glen]

Latest story has it that the meeting with Williams nd McLaren representatives and the FIA resulted in an agreement that the new Michelins will be legal, "if used in the same way as at Monza". Williams are unhappy that this has meant changing their set-up substantially, but at least they know that they can run a race and still be legal. F1Live story:

[Inigo Montoya]

They redesigned those tyres very quickly... They must have had the backup design ready in case their indiscretions were revealed

[ralf fan]

Oh well, at least they can run in Monza so the championship fight will continue.
But i'm still disgusted at the rule changes taking plae 3 races befoer the end

[spearce]

I would have thought a slightly narrower front tyre might be an advantage at Monza anyway - more straightline speed. In which case Michelin should get pole, win and FL and thank the FIA for the suggestion.

[Glen]

Originally posted by ralf fan
Oh well, at least they can run in Monza so the championship fight will continue.
But i'm still disgusted at the rule changes taking plae 3 races befoer the end

There are no rule changes. The rules did not specify at which point in time the tread must not exceed 270mm. The rules are exactly the same as before.

[Liz]

They heard which way the wind was blowing, looked at their slipping viewer numbers, checked the large number of empty seats in Hungary, and did the only sensible thing.

Now if Ferrari will shut up about trying to declare the whole season illegal except for the races TGF won, we can get on with it.

Go Montoya!

[Adam43]

Originally posted by Inigo Montoya
They redesigned those tyres very quickly... They must have had the backup design ready in case their indiscretions were revealed

They will have lots of different designs on the go. I think it is quite possible that they can change the design slightly in 3 weeks. Especially as ther change isn't that big. It is not an indication of Michelin's 'tactic'.

[Inigo Montoya]

Originally posted by AdamAshmore
They will have lots of different designs on the go.

But didn't they claim they had the same tire geometry all year?

[Adam43]

yes, and they continue to use it

[vatuloa]

The legal threat is not good for F1

From Fox sports
Teams told to use new tyres

September 10, 2003

BRITISH formula one teams McLaren and Williams have been told to use new Michelin tyres for Sunday's Italian Grand Prix.

McLaren and Williams met motor racing's governing body, the FIA, on Monday in an attempt to find a solution to what they regard as rule changes which they fear will hand Ferrari's Michael Schumacher a record sixth title.

The Italian team, which use Bridgestone tyres, claim rivals Williams and McLaren, and French team Renault, have been using illegal tyres supplied by French manufacturer Michelin and have threatened to contend every Grand Prix result this season.

The FIA said today the new tyres they were shown by McLaren and Williams complied with the rules but they denied there had been any change.

"A number of press reports have suggested that the FIA has changed or re-interpreted the tyre regulations. This is not correct," the FIA said in a statement.

"The maximum tread width has been 270mm since 1999. The FIA has never suggested that tread width was unlimited once the tyre was in use.

"With hindsight it is regrettable that those using the earlier Michelin front 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."

However, the FIA said nothing of a possible Ferrari protest of earlier race results.

McLaren chairman Ron Dennis and managing director Martin Whitmarsh joined Frank Williams and technical director Patrick Head to meet FIA technical delegate Charlie Whiting at McLaren's headquarters.

It was an attempt to prevent their cars being handicapped in the last three races of the season.

"Potentially, this whole affair is throwing the world championship out of the window for both of us," Whitmarsh told the Guardian newspaper.

Last week Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn claimed measurements taken after last month's Hungarian Grand Prix when Schumacher was lapped by winner Fernando Alonso's Michelin-shod Renault proved the tyres were illegal.

Schumacher leads Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya by one point and Kimi Raikkonen of McLaren by two.

A protest could lead to the championship being decided in a courtroom.

[Inigo Montoya]

Isn't this essentially the same story that Glen quoted at the beginning of the thread? Is there some new info in there that I missed?

[f1manoz]

This whole thing still smells like bull**** and nothing but sour grapes as Ferrari are getting beat at their own game.

[jetsetter]

Ferrari are starting to panic so now they're just going to go around calling everyone else cheats all because the team is starting to lose the grip they held at the top.

[Mark Webber]

but is this advanage Bridgestone ?

[Champ69]

I am amazed that people are bashing ferrari.

The facts are;
1.Ferrari went to the FAI and placed their suspicion that the Michelins where breaching the rules

2. The FIA advised the teams that they would measure the tyres when new and again when used. Thereby making sure that all tyres would be legal.

3. Michelin went to the media and gave ferraris claim foundation, and it is now generally accepted that their tyres exceed 270mm. And where if fact running illegal tyres.

4. Michelin have now produced tyres that should abide by the rules. Once again a fair playing field.

Even if the Michelin tyres where illegal since 2000 and ferrari knew about it since 2000, they are smart cookies, why stop a competitor from using illegal equipment when it has no real effect. Wait till the competitor has the advantage and point it out that they are using illegal tyres. That way the competitor is on the back foot and have to begin their development cycle again.

As for this issue damaging the championship battle, I think it has made it more exciting, Williams-BMW had a huge advantage on a power circuit like Monza but how will ferrari be able to match them. I have no idea, and I bet the teams don’t either.

More facts.
The FIA did not create a new rule, they discovered that someone was operating outside the rules and they changes the measurement procedure – which is used to enforce the rule. If M produced a tyre that began legal and then breached the rules then they are * stupid. They have placed millions of dollars on a tyre that is illegal. idiots

They may not have meant to cheat but they did and they got caught. Again they are Idiots.

People are just * because ferrari have a chance at winning the title again. Its not enough that the FIA changed the rules so Ferrai and MS would have a reduced chance of winning but the should not allow their competitors to cheat as well.

Again I can not believe that people complained that M are not allowed to run tyres that are outside the rules – how stupid is that………..

Edited: language, standard autocensor dodge.

[Led ZeppF1]

Originally posted by Inigo Montoya
They redesigned those tyres very quickly... They must have had the backup design ready in case their indiscretions were revealed

Michelin is big company. They have source to redesigned as quick as possible...

[climb]

Led ZeppF1,
I'm with Inigo,
not only are Michelin as big as to have backup design, but do you think that M-teams would have accepted to shoe brand-new and untested tyres?
Moreover, these tyres proved very good at the first session, and well fitting to Monza: maybe michelin are filled with geniuses, but i tend to think that something was already available: not only skeletons, but also tested and ready-to-go tyres in the Michelin's cupboard!

[Mal]

I know it does not prove guilt, but if they knew they we breaking the rule then they would certainly have a contingency for when and if the breach was discovered.

[ASCII Man]

Originally posted by Champ69
Williams-BMW had a huge advantage on a power circuit like Monza but how will ferrari be able to match them.

Never noticed how the Ferrari's could very easily pull away from the BMW Williams on the start/finishline straight at Monza?

That didn't really look like an advantage to me.

[craig1]

I recon that M obviously found a loop hole in the rules and exploited it to their advantage.

Good on them.

I recon if you are going to throw the rule book in everyones face, go and disect each car and I'd bet you would find a lot of so called bending of the rules.

[Bononi]

Originally posted by vatuloa
"Potentially, this whole affair is throwing the world championship out of the window for both of us," Whitmarsh told the Guardian newspaper.

That's what I was afraid...

[Mr V]

Originally posted by vatuloa



Last week Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn claimed measurements taken after last month's Hungarian Grand Prix when Schumacher was lapped by winner Fernando Alonso's Michelin-shod Renault proved the tyres were illegal.

Just out of interest, if the tyres are (were) illegal, why didn't Ferrari appeal the race result? Theoretically, they could have appealed all 7 cars in front of Michael! If they didn't appeal them at the time, i don't see how they (Ferrari) can appeal the (older) tyres from previous races in the future. (as Ross Brawn was quoted as saying)

[RWC]

http://www.itv-f1.com/news/news_story/17551

This looks VERY promising!
Williams and renault are saying the new tyres are slightly better!!I really hope so,it would be nice poetic justice(michelin having panic attacks over this and comming out ok but ferrari going downhill over the hushed up blatant cheating they were doing earlier this year with the substituted compounds)

[Inigo Montoya]

That's certainly good news. But I wonder how the measurements will go after the race

[Liz]

Depends on who wins, doesn't it?