Motegi MotoGP: MotoGP boss submits formal request for one-make tyre rule

Dorna chief Carmelo Ezpeleta has confirmed today in the Twin Ring Motegi that he has proposed the introduction of a one-make tyre rule for the MotoGP world championship in 2008.

He submitted the proposal at a meeting of the Grand Prix Commission this afternoon on the eve of tomorrow’s Japanese GP.

Ezpeleta said he wanted an agreement on the proposal, which goes completely against what he said only three weeks ago in Misano, in time for the Malaysian GP in Sepang on October 21.

Previously he ha said MotoGP should embrace competition, adding it was vital to keep the likes of Michelin and Bridgestone fighting in the premier class.

“We have made the proposal in the Grand Prix Commission meeting today to reach an agreement between all the different tyre manufacturers for the use of tyres in 2008, owing to the situation in which some factories believe that they can’t have tyres which they think are competitive. We thought the best possibility is to go to a one-tyre rule,” Ezpeleta told Dorna’s official website. “This is only an initial proposal. If the situation is not resolved by Malaysia, then all the relevant parties – the FIM, IRTA and the MSMA – will reflect on the situation and during the Grand Prix weekend make their final decision.”

The move follows complaints from Yamaha and Honda about the performance of Michelin tyres in 2007, with Japanese factory Bridgestone emerging as the dominant tyre brand.

Some riders have backed the idea of a control tyre while others think the competiton should stay.

A one-make tyre rule would see MotoGP copy World Superbikes and Formula One.