MotoGP: Single tyre rule was wrong for MotoGP says teams chief

A single tyre rule would have been wrong for the MotoGP world championship had it been implemented for 2008.

That’s the view of International Race Teams Association boss Mike Trimby, despite the fact that a one-make rule next season would have significantly benefited independent teams like Tech 3 Yamaha, LCR Honda and D’Antin Ducati.

Dorna chief Carmelo Ezpeleta officially withdrew his controversial proposal for a one-make tyre rule today, with Bridgestone, Michelin and Dunlop agreeing in principal to increase the tyre allocation from 31 to 40 next season.

A final decision on the tyre rules will be made at the last round of the world championship in Valencia earlier next month.

IRTA boss Mike Trimby told MCN: “Commercially for the private teams it was a very good idea because it had the possibility of reducing their costs for tyres or getting free tyres.

“It also has tremendous implications on testing because the only thing private teams test for is to develop tyres. They don’t test to develop bikes, so if you take the element of testing out of the equation there is a hell of a saving there.

“Personally I thought a one-make wasn’t necessarily right for our championship at this stage but something needed to be done to address the problems that we have with the current disparity.

“It was fairly obvious which tyre company was going to be the chosen one and certain teams had already announced they were keen to get hold of that particular brand of tyre.

“I think it was good that Carmelo Ezpeleta stuck the thing on the flagpole because it needed to be addressed.”