amazing! -f1 just lost it`s market in the united states!

[madrchsod]

totally amazing how an organization can fuck over the indy race....

[ewagner]

1. Explanation please? n/t

[KDLarsen]

2. The short version

Ralf Schumacher crashed the other day during practice and consequently, Michelin (the tyre manfucaturer) couldn't guarantee that their tyres would last the race. So the 7 teams (ie 14 cars) who uses Michelin tyres requested that they could switch to Bridgestone tyres, which the FIA refused to let them. They then asked if a chicane could be put in at the end of the home stretch, in order to increase safety, which the FIA again refused. So now, 14 cars of the 20 starting drove straight to the pit after the warm-up round & it doesn't look like they're coming back.

[ps1074]

4. The FIA agreed on the chicane

Only if all teams agree on it too. Nine teams agreed on that. The only team against were the fuckers of Ferrari. So, no chicane was put.

[KDLarsen]

8. Sorry, read the news wrong

Gotta love Ferrari, I guess.

[Kellanved]

10. Well, in their defense

The FIA would have allowed the Michelin teams to start with new tires. It would have meant penalty points, but at least there would have been a race.

[ps1074]

3. There are only 3 teams racing

Ferrari, Jordan and Minrdi.

All other teams refused to start.

[Rick Myers]

5. Keep us posted!!!

When I lived in Indy I attended two years of the USGP. This is crazy!

[ps1074]

6. No way

I switched channels.

[KDLarsen]

7. At the moment...

... the 6 cars are continuing to race, but the crowd is starting to walk out, with some throwing cans on the track in frustration.

[Kellanved]

9. no way

I'll watch the Confederation's Cup. Mexico vs Brazil

[Swede]

11. The crowd is shouting "Refund"

The announcer on CBC just said "We've got some nervous police."

[MaineDem]

12. Totally Michelin's fault

They owe TOny George (who I can't stand) big time for this debacle.

US F1 fans deserve better. Hell, ALL F1 fans deserve better.

It's not the FIA's fault. It's Michelin's fault for having faulty tires.

The fans deserve a refund and those teams that didn't race deserve to lose points.

[KDLarsen]

13. Why blame Michelin?

Michelin agreed that the tyres were unsafe & flew in a batch of new tyres, but FIA refused to let the teams switch. The FIA should bend the rules in this case, as it affected 70% of the field.

[Kellanved]

15. no, the FIA would have allowed the switch

They just made it clear that using new tires would mean a penalty short of a disqualification.

[MaineDem]

16. I don't think that's correct.

Dear Mr Dupasquier,
Dear Mr Shorrock,

Thank you for your letter of today's date.

As explained in our earlier letter, your teams have a choice of running more slowly in Turn 12/13, running a tyre not used in qualifying (which would attract a penalty) or repeatedly changing a tyre (subject to valid safety reasons).

It is for them to decide. We have nothing to add.

Yours sincerely,

Charlie Whiting
FIA Formula One Race Director

http://www.fia.com/mediacentre/Press_Releases/FIA_Sport/2005/June/190605-03.html

[Swede]

14. I would say 33% Michelin's fault.

The rest to FIA and Ferrari for not agreeing to the chicane.

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=189171&FS=F1

[MaineDem]

17. FIA had no basis for allowing the chicane

And why should Ferrari agree to it? They didn't have defective equipment.

It's totally Michelin's fault.

[Swede]

18. For the good of the sport.

I disagree with your take on this.

[Kellanved]

19. well, that is the point: "sport"

It is a competition where at least half of the achievement is engineering. Were the fair competition between the drivers the goal, all teams would use the same standardized car.

But no: the engineering is as important as the driving.

And anyway: the Michelin teams could have started with pit-stops all ten rounds - sure, no chance to win, but enough to satisfy the sport aspect.

[Swede]

20. "They should have taken the two Ferrari cars out of the race

and put in the chicane,at least we would have entertained the fans." to quote the English announcer on Speed Tv.

[MaineDem]

21. And it's a good thing he's paid to do the commentary ...

and not run the race.

The Ferrari team did nothing wrong. Their tire manufacturer had the right engineering for the track. Ferrari, Jordan, and Minardi benefited from Bridgestone getting it right.

I ws pissed I didn't see a full grid of cars. Tony George should be livid. The fans deserve their money back.

An, on top of all that, what about the sponsors of the teams that didn't race? They pay a rather large fortune to have their names on the wings and barge boards of those F1 cars. What will they have to say about all this I wonder?

[Swede]

22. 18 cars would have raced.

Ferrari and FIA are in disgrace today.