Hembery: No tyre war unless rules change

Pirelli motorsport boss Paul Hembery has played down reports that his company might have to go wheel-to-wheel with Michelin in Formula 1 next year.

There are rumours that Michelin, apparently supported by FIA top man Jean Todt, is planning a Formula 1-related announcement for the middle of this week. The French marque was last seen on the grid as the Bridgestone 'tyre war' ended in 2006,

Michelin is believed to favour a competitive situation for a return to Formula 1, while Pirelli is more content with the current one-supplier rules, designed to keep costs down.

Asked if the Michelin reports have him worried, Pirelli's motor sport director Hembery replied: "We have a contract with the teams, but the rules do not allow competition between tyre manufacturers.

"We are doing our job," he told Formula 1news.ru, as Pirelli pushes for a new multi-year contract to be the sport's sole supplier of tyres beyond 2013.

Hembery concluded: "If the rules change, we will be told about it." (GMM)

Subbed by AJN.