Michelin disappointed by F1 tyre rule changes

Tyre supplier Michelin has voiced fresh criticism of rule changes on the eve of what will be the French company's farewell season in Formula One.

"Although the rules were changed in a bid to reduce costs, it is disappointing to note that a tyre manufacturer such as Michelin will have to carry 38 per cent more stock to grands prix this season than it did in 2005," the company's Formula One director Nick Shorrock said.

"Michelin is working with six F1 partners this year, rather than seven, yet finds itself having to supply more than 300 extra tyres per race weekend," he added in a preview for Sunday's season-opening championship race - the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Last year teams had to make one set of tyres last for qualifying and the race but new rules for 2006 allow a return to tyre changes.

That could favour Japan's Bridgestone, who were dominant with Ferrari in 2004 when pitstops for fresh tyres were last allowed.

However, Shorrock said Michelin, whose image was badly dented last year when all their teams pulled out of the US Grand Prix for tyre safety reasons, were confident they had done their homework.

He said the new V8 engines, replacing last year's V10s, required a different driving technique which would impact on tyre performance but Michelin had addressed the issue.

"This year, for the first time, we were able to conduct a pre-season test in Bahrain," he said.

"That gave us ample opportunity to accumulate relevant data. It also confirmed that our preparations in Europe had been very astute."

Michelin, who provide champions Renault and runners-up McLaren with tyres, won all but one of last year's 19 races and scored 83.5 per cent of the available points.

The company needs just seven more wins to become only the second tyre manufacturer to notch up 100 world championship grand prix victories. Goodyear hold the record of 368.