MotoGP: Yamaha deny tyre rule U-turn

Valentino Rossi and Fiat Yamaha boss Davide Brivio have denied completing a dramatic U-turn over revised tyre regulations for 2008.

With Fiat Yamaha confirming Michelin tyres for 2008, despite rumours of a switch to Bridgestone, Valentino Rossi and team boss Davide Brivio said they had never wanted to increase the tyre allocation above the current limit of 31.

Valentino Rossi said more important than extending the number was for Michelin to drastically improve tyre development for next season.

“I think if Michelin work at the maximum it is possible to improve and be like Bridgestone. I think it is a Michelin problem. They have to be more competitive and comeback to the Bridgestone’s level.

“For me the problem is the quality of our tyres. The quality of our tyres is not at the same level. I think it is not enough to have more tyres to be at the same level.

“We need better tyres, not more. But Michelin has to fix this problem. For me three or five more tyres won’t change the situation a lot. For me this rule give more problems to Mich than BS for sure. 

“But it’s not enough to change the rule. Michelin have to work to be competitive.”

Davide Brivio also said his personal view was to keep the current tyre allocation at 31 tyres per rider for a race weekend.

Brivio said increasing the limit would not be the solution to ending the current dull racing in MotoGP, saying it was up to Michelin and Yamaha to work in tandem to develop over the winter.

“My personal opinion is that nothing should change in the tyre regulation. In this moment we have to work more, we have to test as much as we can this winter to improve our tyres and try to fight next year.

“There is a lot of discussion about trying to improve but we have to make sure that if we change something we are going in the right direction, otherwise its better not too change.

“I don’t know if having a few more tyres in the allocation or having the possibility to test more will drastically change the situation.

“The situation might change drastically if we push much more on the development. I think we have a lot of homework to do.”