Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has taken the unprecedented step of publicly criticising tyre supplier Bridgestone following Michael Schumacher's poor start to the 2005 season.
The German was once again unable to match his rivals over one lap in qualifying at Barcelona last weekend, and then suffered two tyre separate deflations that forced him into his third retirement of 2005.
In a rare move, Montezemolo admitted that he is 'worried' about Ferrari's lowly position in the world championship, and Bridgestone's inability to consistently compete with rival Michelin.
"We have arrived now at a championship that is more for tyres than for cars. The tyres have an excessive role to play in races," he said.
"I hope that our situation gets better because we have problems over a single lap and a race distance.
"I am worried because after five races we have a competitive car which in Barcelona did the second fastest race lap."
Montezemolo was also critical of the 2005 regulations, which he suggested have been designed to handicap Ferrari.
"It was extraordinary to win six world championships in a row.
But now rules have been made which I don't consider suitable for F1 and which have turned out to be efficient in limiting the excessive power of Ferrari."
Bridgestone responded to the Italian's criticism by issuing a statement to Autosport's website.
"Bridgestone understands his [Montezemolo's] frustrations and we are working closer than ever to ensure the competitiveness of the car-tyre package.
"Modern day Formula 1 cars are now extremely sophisticated and we are fortunate that Bridgestone and Ferrari share the close technical relationship that others envy.
"We have overcome challenges together in the past and are confident of doing so again."
Ferrari team principal Jean Todt is more positive about the team's prospects of clawing back the points deficit to its rivals – the team is 40 points behind Renault in the constructors' chase – but added that Bridgestone had got it wrong so far in 2005.
"With Bridgestone we have a very positive feeling but it is obvious new rules have been interpreted better by our rivals," he said.
"We musn't panic.
"We have to analyse the situation and solve it. Everything is still possible although this gap does not favour us."
Fiat Stilo Schumacher competition