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May 22nd
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F1 tyre issues up for WMSC debate

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The ongoing debacle over how soon it will take Formula One to adopt Pirelli as their 2011 tyre supplier could be brought to a conclusion on Wednesday, as the FIA's World Motor Sport Council meets for its latest discussion.

The meeting in Geneva is primarily tasked with making decisions on future rules, with the tyre supply problem central to those regulations.

The meeting will be the first time that the FIA publicly reveals its intentions for the process of deciding who will succeed Bridgestone in the sport.

The F1 teams have expressed frustration over the lack of a firm decision, with most teams already progressing with their 2011 car designs, and the teams themselves are thought to have agreed some form of deal in principle with Pirelli.

But with Michelin still in the picture, the whole process was plunged into further confusion when FIA president Jean Todt recently suggested the matter would go up for tender, with the FIA having the final say, not the teams.

Although the tender process could theoretically only see Pirelli apply, with Michelin already muttering that time is running out for them to have any sort of 2011 tyre package together in time, such a process would lend further delays to the decision making process.

As well as the tyre issues, the WMSC is expected to discuss a wide range of new rule changes, including a post-season tyre test for whichever company is chosen, operating outside the current restrictive testing ban, as well as the dubious decision to introduce 'moveable rear wings' onto F1 cars from next season.

The meeting should also finally sort out the rules governing safety car rules, after Michael Schumacher was penalised for overtaking on the final lap under a 'safety car finish' in Monaco last month.

Also up for debate will be an expected ban on the suddenly-unpopular moveable front wings, the proposed ban on F-ducts from 2011 and the official changing of the BMW Sauber team's name to plain old Sauber, some months after they officially lost the German marque's backing.

According to a report from Autosport, the meeting will also discuss the possibility of bringing some form of disciplinary action against USF1 for their failure to make the grid in Bahrain, though with the team now officially closed down, it is unclear what precise form any punishment would take.