Tyre Wars? pt two.?

Question

I just copied this from the link in Delberts question:

"After encountering Michelin dramas in Turkey and the United States, Rossi hit out at the current Moto rules that restrict all but the Dunlop-shod runners to 44 tyres per weekend, complaining that it is spoiling the show for the fans."

I started wondering why "all but the Dunlop-shod" runners are restricted to 44 tyres per weekend -which I guess means 44 chosen before the testing starts.

My question is why isn't Dunlop restricted?

Poor Delbert! - I did give him an answer but I also asked him a couple of questions! (If you have two mins to spare maybe you could see what you think about them too!)

I'm a bit confused - there has to be some strange history and wrangling behind all this!

Answer 1

Once a tyre manufacturer has podiumed twice they have to play by the restriction rules. Until then they are free to use whatever.

Answer 2

Its just to give them a fighting chance really.

M & B are already good at making Motogp class tyres, so its just a way of letting Dunlop catch up.