Bridgestone to stay within 'spirit of the rules'.

Bridgestone Motorsport has today released a statement "wishing to clarify its position on tyres for the 2002 Australian Grand Prix following speculation in the media during recent days."

The statement read: "Bridgestone is pleased to confirm that the tyres it is taking to Melbourne will comply fully with the FIA regulations, that is with four grooves with the correct dimensions as set down in the rules."

Hisao Suganuma, technical manager of Bridgestone Motorsport, said: "The FIA regulations state that each front dry-weather tyre, when new, must have four circumferential grooves which must be arranged symmetrically about the centre of the tyre tread, at least 14mm wide at the contact surface and which taper uniformly to a minimum of 10mm at the lower surface."

"When grooved tyres were introduced in 1998, we believed the FIA's intention was for all four grooves to be symmetrical. We have followed that spirit ever since."

"Bridgestone's tyres for the 2002 Australian Grand Prix will comply with the rules set down by the FIA and, visually, will be the same as officials, competitors and spectators have come expect in Formula 1."