Tyre Concerns at US Grand Prix

The US Formula One Grand Prix currently hangs in the balance and may end up being a six car race as Michelin has not given approval for their tyres to be used in the race. After tyre failures in Friday's practice, Michelin brought in new tyres from France overnight, but still could not achieve approval for racing after a banked curve with a diamond-cut surface put too much load on the tyres.

The only way Michelin was prepared to give approval for the US Grand Prix race was if a chicane was installed, but agreement could not be obtained from Ferrari, who run on Bridgestone tyres, and have received little sympathy from Michelin when they had a problem with their tyres in the past.

Currently it looks like all the Michelin Teams will go to the grid and then come in after the parade lap. No-one on the grid could talk about it to Martin Brundle, including Jenson Button and Mrs Bernie Ecclestone.