OT: Formula One Racing has hit a new low

From BBC

Live: Crisis-hit US Grand Prix

Only six cars are taking part in the US Grand Prix after the teams failed to resolve the Michelin tyre safety row.

Twenty cars began the parade lap but only the non-Michelin teams - Ferrari, Jordan and Minardi - completed it and took their places on the starting grid.

The other 14 withdrew to cries of derision from fans, and a missile was seen thrown on the Brickyard track.

The safety row began when Toyota's Ralf Schumacher's car crashed on Friday after a Michelin tyre blow-out.

It is believed that the race result will stand and championship points will be awarded.

I have been to quite a few F1 races and did some work for one of the teams. I have seen a lot of nitpicking politics, backstabbing, screw ups, etc....But never have I seen F1 screw over 145,000 fans at a race. Wow! Forget about whether or not F1 returns to Indy next year, Indy should just tell F1 to sod off and don't come back.

Thank a higher power that I never had interest in attending a race on Father's Day. F1 cannot compete with R4 of the US Open.

What a blunder by Michelin. Total screw up. They should be the one to refund all the tickets.

In an nutshell, Ralf Schumacher crashed in practice coming out of a corner that is a problem at Indy because of the high speed the car is carrying into that area of the track. A tire blow out caused the crash, but because Michelin could not explain how/why, they felt it best to proclaim the tire was unsafe for this race.

Now the problem starts.

With 7 of the 10 teams running Michelin and being told that the tire is unsafe their choices are use the backup tire (which for some reason a suitable one was not available at the track), fly in a different backup tire (which gets you a penalty and effectively kills any chance of placing well in the race), change the track in the problem corner (9 of 10 teams tried to get this done but Ferrari and FIA said no way), or don't race.

There was a lot of arguing, finger pointing, attempt at compromise, etc...but the bottom line up to the last minute was the track would not be changed and Michelin teams can keep pitting to rotate tires or slow down at the dangerous corner. So when the teams lined up to race and did their practice lap, all the Michelin teams went into the pits and refused to race. Only Bridgestone equipped teams raced, which was not a race. It was a practice session for Ferrari and a rare moment for Jordan and Minardi to actually get points.

Once Michelin declared the tire unsafe it was a no win situation. The rules do not allow for a fair enough compromise to allow competitive racing. So everyone acted as expected. For a Michelin team to continue in unsafe conditions is not a choice, and to race, but slow down considerably at the fastest corner was just as dangerous and stupid.

Major screwups here, the sport is very damaged by this nonsense.

Just an Indy issue, the track is very different than the other circuits. It has the longest straightaways and high banks. At one point you are full throttle for 22 seconds which is a lot in F1.

I'm a big F1 fan...long as I can remember..

I blame michelin...completely...

I heard it got pretty ugly as all the fans wanted their money back.

This is a disgrace, what were they thinking. Michelin were the main culprits obviously but what about Ferrari and the FIA for refusing to change the track, surely they don't think only have 6 cars on the track is good for business!!!

I heard it got pretty ugly as all the fans wanted their money back.

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Yup, a lot of people were throwing cans, bottles and other stuff over the fence and on to the track. I can understand why they got upset, but throwing stuff on a track where cars are doing 300+km/h is just insane.

A sad day for F1.

With 7 of the 10 teams running Michelin and being told that the tire is unsafe their choices are use the backup tire (which for some reason a suitable one was not available at the track), fly in a different backup tire (which gets you a penalty and effectively kills any chance of placing well in the race), change the track in the problem corner (9 of 10 teams tried to get this done but Ferrari and FIA said no way), or don't race.

iirc they were not allowed to change tires according to F1 Rules.(one tire rule) and the F1 Committee did not agree to adding a chicane befor the turn the slow down the entry speed.

Here is a very accurate account and a great read. Stoddart may look like the guy rattling swords on purpose because Minardi is a constant underdog, but it's a much preferable and more respectable position to be in than the arrogant, non-caring Jean Todt. Michelle Yeoh should dump him since he has the compassion of a rock.

http://f1.racing-live.com/en/index.html?ht...622131809.shtml

Problem was Michelin had tyres that were not good enough, by that i mean the side walls were to weak and they feared that after 10 laps the tyres would have given up the ghost due to the heat generated by the intense friction in the final turn of the indy circuit. Michelin have some serious redeaming todo.

To alter the track would have been ridulous!! and unfair on Bridgstone teams who had tyres good enough to race. The blame lands with michelin. not the fault of the FIA or any1 else, they could have raced and changed tyres regularly which they would have been entitled todo if they were unsafe. If anything it's the Michelin teams not wanting to look stupid by pitting so often.

LoL Kimi Raikkonen wanted to race and risk it, now thats a proper racer!!

Btw look at http://www.itv-f1.com/Home.aspx for all the best news in F1.

hehe I'm passioniate Ferrari fan and Michael Schumacher fan, hate me if u like

:busted_cop:

With 7 of the 10 teams running Michelin and being told that the tire is unsafe their choices are use the backup tire (which for some reason a suitable one was not available at the track), fly in a different backup tire (which gets you a penalty and effectively kills any chance of placing well in the race), change the track in the problem corner (9 of 10 teams tried to get this done but Ferrari and FIA said no way), or don't race.

 

And Jordan sed NO WAY, imagine the law suits that would have resulted if a driver had been killed or even worst a spectator!! remember the law suits that followed SENNA's death!! oh yeah and law suits are an American speciality!!

 

Ferrari didnt know about the proposed chicane until after race.

And Jordan sed NO WAY, imagine the law suits that would have resulted if a driver had been killed or even worst a spectator!! remember the law suits that followed SENNA's death!! oh yeah and law suits are an American speciality!!

 

Ferrari didnt know about the proposed chicane until after race.

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They did know because all the teams were involved in the meetings to try and find a solution and they said no to anything that would have led to a fair compromise.

Why would it have been unfair to put a chicane on the problem corner, the FIA were happy to keep fidling with the last chicane at montreal even though they turned it into a launch pad for any getting slightly out of shape (Jenson Button for example).

Michelin to refund Ticket prices

Wonder how much this will cost.