Official F1/Motorsport thread

[SaijoBob]

Wish I'd seen this one with English commentary!

Seriously, didn't any of the Michelin teams test at this circuit? Surely the problem should have been identified earlier.

To me this is another nail in the coffin for having two tyre manufacturers in F1. I'm tired of the pre-race discussion about which tyre is best. It's as if the driver and engine are all less important than four glorified pieces of rubber.

I'd love to see just one tyre company being used. Come back Goodyear, all is forgiven!

[Richard.John]

It can be summed up really as Michelin scoring a huge own goal which has damaged the sport, possibly beyond repair in the eyes of US fans.
Sadly some are now are trying to blame Ferrari but it was an issue that should have been dealt with long before they took the grid on Sunday. From what I have read, the response to Michelin from the FIA was simple.

1. Instruct teams to reduce speed at T13
2. Run new tyres, but face the consequences from the stewards.
3. Have the Michelin runners pit every 10 laps or so for safety reasosn.

The FIA instructed Michelin that it would be unfair to the Bridgestone teams if they built a chicane at T13, and it would also set a legal precedent for future races, which is something the FIA obivously didn't want to happen.

In my eyes, Michelin instead of taking on it the chin like a man, and accepting the fact that it wasn't their day and they would get beaten by the Ferraris, decided to withdraw their teams as a kind of political two fingers to the powers that be.It may well have been on instruction from their lawyers considering the country that they were in, and of course didn't want to face a $100 million dollar plus lawsuit if somebody was injured,etc.

The fact that they formed up on the grid is dissapointing though, as why did they bother if they knew that they were all going to pull out? What can of kind of message did that send to the loyal fans who had paid hundreds, thousands even to attend the race.

It obvious from the way that the Michelin runners sat in their cars that they believed that the race was going to be abandoned and the FIA would give in to their demands, but they called the FIA's bluff and lost. It was a sad day for the sport, probabaly the worst since '94 and make no mistake, the FIA is going to crucify Michelin over this. No doubt they will be hauled before the World Council in Paris to explain why they couldn't provide a tyre for the race and then subsequently brought the sport into disrepute by their actions.

Bridegstone of course, are laughing all the way to the bank considering the proposed one tyre constructor rule from 2008. Hmm, now I wonder who will win that contract? And it means the break away GPWC is now an invetability. And Schumi is now one point behind KR in the title race. Only 10 races to go, isn't it exciting.

[jon bda]

Seriously, didn't any of the Michelin teams test at this circuit? Surely the problem should have been identified earlier.

No F1 teams test at Indianapolis, but Bridgestone have already been there in the form of Firestone for the Indy car race. This was Michelins problem, the diamond cutting on the banking to give extra grip for the Indy cars has only been done this year so until they turned up it was an unknown...

[SaijoBob]

The diamond cutting on the banking to give extra grip for the Indy cars has only been done this year so until they turned up it was an unknown...

Ah ha! The reason becomes clear.

Sounds like Minardi's chief is p!ssed with Jordan, but I can understand Jordan being desparate for some points. Also, if Jordan and Minardi hadn't run it would of been a two car race!!!

[VR46]

It is sad that 10 or 20 "grown" men couldn't sort the situation out, watched the highlights on ITV late last night and they only showed the starting lap, Schumi almost taking Barichello out and the final lap, that was it, they were well p*ssed also.

As one of the ITV crew said though; if Ferrari had come to the track and realised they had say a serious brake wear problem would the other teams has backed them in a circuit layout change ? would they f*ck.

Championship has closed up nicely, such a shame DC and co didn't just take part and drive slowly, he still could have picked up two points.

And BAR no points after 9 races, wonder where Button will be driving next year ?

[Richard.John]

Michelin were given the choice of reduced speed into T13 (The FIA offered to setup a speed trap) taking new tyres, or pitting every ten laps with their existing tyres. They refused to compromise on perfromance as they knew that it would hand Ferrari the race, so they decided to sit it out. (BTW I am not a Ferrari fan)

[jon bda]

Michelin were given the choice of reduced speed into T13 (The FIA offered to setup a speed trap) taking new tyres, or pitting every ten laps with their existing tyres. They refused to compromise on perfromance as they knew that it would hand Ferrari the race, so they decided to sit it out. (BTW I am not a Ferrari fan)

What?. If you listen to the commentary for the race, it says that setting up a chicane was never going to go ahead even though the Michelin runners asked for it, allowing the cars to pit was a no-no and even though Michelin could of flown in tyres that probably would of done the race distance, this was deemed illegal by the F1 suits.

[Richard.John]

What?. If you listen to the commentary for the race, it says that setting up a chicane was never going to go ahead even though the Michelin runners asked for it, allowing the cars to pit was a no-no and even though Michelin could of flown in tyres that probably would of done the race distance, this was deemed illegal by the F1 suits.

Take a look at this article for clarification.

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpa...s_art_id=24879

The FIA made their position clear, told Michelin what to do and they decided against it.

[mid]

It's fairly clear what they should have done in my view. Flown in those replacement tyres, changed over to them at the end of the formation lap on safety grounds, and taken the penalty. Everyone would still have a race to watch, while the Bridgestone teams would still get the advantage due them for having tyres that work.

Even if it was judged to be against 5 rules like they suggested it might be, you could disqualify all the Michelin runners after the race, and not straight off.

[Richard.John]

I agree. I think Michelin should've taken the penalty as at least it would have given us a cracking race for the lower positions, but instead all the fans got was a slap in the face.

[Darwock]

As a text from my friend stated, I can't wait to read the new book from Pierre Dupasquier of Michelin - "How to run F1 and make everybody blame Ferrari"

Seriously unfair on the 6 drivers who DID race to have to endure the booing, jeering and cans of beer thrown at their heads on the main straight, when the guilty parties were the ones not on the track.

As has been said, they could have gotten off line in turn 13 and eased pressure on the tyres but they didn't want the competitive disadvantage. I personally hope this will accelerate changes to the stupid tyre rules and also take us back to one manufacturer before 2008.

[Richard.John]

I think the option of slowing down at T13 would've been difficult to action but they could 've made them run through the pit lane instead, I suppose.

[Richard.John]

As has been said, they could have gotten off line in turn 13 and eased pressure on the tyres but they didn't want the competitive disadvantage. I personally hope this will accelerate changes to the stupid tyre rules and also take us back to one manufacturer before 2008.

I think you are right. It should be the World Drivers Championship not the World Tyres Championship. Clearly Michelin have blown any chance of getting the contract, so it's Bridgestone or who knows, maybe Goodyear will return from the dead to resurrect their glory days.

[mid]

Seriously unfair on the 6 drivers who DID race to have to endure the booing, jeering and cans of beer thrown at their heads on the main straight, when the guilty parties were the ones not on the track.

True, but if the FIA had an ounce of sense they would have noticed that as soon as the first can narrowly missed Schumacher they had a viable excuse to call off the race on safety grounds, and everyone could have gone home with a refund.

The most galling part of it all was that, because they had that farce of a 'race', the fans got fleeced for $85 to sit through it.

[Darwock]

Indeed... did you notice that the IRL speedway event (sponsored by Bridgestone!) is offering free entry to USGP ticket holders?