As F1 seeks to put the controversy of Valencia behind it, Pirelli boss Marco Tronchetti has claimed that Ferrari's Luca di Montezemolo was right in claiming that what happened to his team in Spain was "unacceptable".

In the wake of the Spanish race, Montezemolo said: "The result of yesterday's race was misrepresentative. Ferrari, which showed itself to be competitive in the European Grand Prix, paid a price that was too high for respecting the rules. Meanwhile those who didn't follow the rules were penalised by the race officials in a way that was less severe than the damage suffered by those who did respect them.

"That is a very serious and unacceptable event that creates dangerous precedents," he added, "throwing a shadow over the credibility of Formula One. We are sure that the FIA will fully analyse what happened, taking the consequent necessary decisions. Ferrari will watch this with interest."

However, Provera, whose company is due to return to F1 as sole tyre supplier next season, has thrown his weight behind the Ferrari boss, a move which will no doubt cause dismay among rival teams and at the FIA.

Taking part in an RAI radio programme, "politics in football," Provera, when asked about Ferrari's outburst following the Valencia race, said: "Montezemolo is right, because in Valencia, we had a chaotic situation which did incredible damage to Ferrari."