MotoGP: Michelin ‘shocked’ at one-make tyre plan for 2008

Michelin boss Jean-Philippe Weber has spoken of his shock and disappointment at plans for MotoGP to implement a one-make tyre rule next season.

Plans unveiled in Japan, as it became apparent that Honda and Yamaha had lost faith in Michelin’s ability to compete against rivals Bridgestone, could spell the end of Michelin’s success story in the premier class.

And Weber said: “This is a big shock for us. We were even more shocked because we had just given the new tyre regulation proposal for next year. So we thought that for 2008 it was still open for all tyre manufacturers.

“Suddenly the new proposal is already concerning the 2008 season. So this is the reason why we were extremely surprised.

“It is disappointing, because all the tyre manufacturers agreed that we want open competition. We know that it’s really difficult and we hope that everybody will be clever enough to make the right decision in order to keep that competition for the next year.

“MotoGP has prototype bikes, tyres, and high level riders and we are really surprised that this is coming so strongly. It looks as if everybody gets good competition and suddenly you have got somebody deciding to change something urgently.”

Weber refused to be drawn on whether he thought it disrespectful and disloyal on Honda and Yamaha’s part that both were looking to jump ship at the first hint of another tyre brand holding an advantage.

Bridgestone have won twice as many races in 2007 and in Motegi last month the Japanese factory ended 15 years of Michelin domination in the premier class.

And despite highlighting to Honda and Yamaha bosses plans to increase investment and development for 2008, it has not been enough to convince the Japanese factories so far Weber though warned Yamaha and Honda that a one-make tyre was no assurance that they would be able to beat new world champion Casey Stoner, or at least get a return to a more exciting spectacle.

“Those who ask to have spec tyres next year, depending if they have to switch to another brand or not, will have to face probably many other problems. Where we will be upset is that if the conclusion at the end of 2008 is that maybe the competition was not so bad.

“By then maybe at least two tyre manufacturers would be out of the game. And that’s really disappointing, because all these companies spend a lot of money and develop technology because they want to improve.

“To do something in such an urgent way seems not realistic based on what the tyre manufacturers are doing.”

Weber confirmed it was too early to know whether Michelin would make a bid for the contract, should it be put out to tender after a final decision is taken on the proposal in Malaysia later this month.