Tyre concerns grow

Michael Schumacher is the latest driver to voice his concerns over the tyre warmer ban that is due to come into force in Formula 1 at the start of 2009.

The former World Champion has joined GPDA president Pedro de la Rosa, Nico Rosberg and David Coulthard in speaking out against the move, as the speed differential between a car on a hot lap and one leaving the pits on cold tyres is dangerously large. The difference will be further magnified by the tyre warmer ban coming in at the same time as the re-introduction of slicks.

However, Bridgestone motor sport technical manager Tetsuro Kobayashi has assured drivers that the tyre manufacturer had made vast improvements with the performance of cold slicks at a recent Barcelona test and, come next year, the difference in performance between warm and cold tyres will be at a safe level.