[markwemple]

Ther was discussion about a potential problem but, when all the cars lined up for the parade lap, everyone thought it was going to be ok. I enven remember talking about who would take the first corner. Then all the cars came into the pit and the race started. Everyone got onto the phone. I remember thinking they were having to start from the pits due to changing tires. But, then they started putting the cars into the garage and we all knew it was over.

Worst part was that I got up at 5am to get a great seat, which I did.

I was so looking forward to this event, driving Rebecca nuts for a couple of weeks. Now I'm driving her nuts 'cause I can't believe I wasted all that money.

Now I can go to the Champ car race for free if I want but it is next weekend - Parade weekend. Can't win for loosing.

Anyone want 2 passes for the Cleveland event??

[Chopper Dropper]

Already had my say on this and point the finger at Michelin. However, I think the one engine for 2 races and one set of tyres for qualifying and race is great. It has opened things up, still allows for punctures, may have some better trickle down effect for us when race compounds become affordable and available for us at club level and may last longer and be grippier than what is available now. There were possible solutions or compromises that could have been made to at least give a race for the fans there especially plus the TV audience. Give the first 6 place points to the bridgestone finishers in their order, no points for Michelin shod, put the chicane in give an extra practise session to get some adjustments. Bridgestone teams get the points they deserve for having the right tyre, fans and drivers get a race.
Dirk

[Tim]

Let the lawsuits begin!

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/sports/prix-suit.html

Ain't America great?

[Jazzbass]

I abhor the lawsuit culture of the US; but in this case, it hard to say I blame them. You spend a ton of moeny to go see this race, and end up seeing 6 cars drive a glorified test session. Hard to fault the guy for wanting his money back.

Personally, I'm not a NASCAR fan and find it extremely boring to watch. But you have to give them credit for one thing - they would never have let something like this happen. They're huge in the US for one reason - they put their fans first.

[OldTee]

Thought you might find this interesting:

From Michelin Public Relations

Thank you for contacting Michelin. We share your disappointment about
the 2005 United States Grand Prix, and we hope the following facts will
help you understand the situation more fully.

Michelin equipped teams did not participate in the Formula One Grand
Prix at Indianapolis on Sunday, June 19, out of concern for driver safety.
Michelin equips seven teams (14 cars) in Formula One. As a result of the race
conditions, only three teams (six cars) on non-Michelin tires
participated in the race.

During the weekend, it became obvious that there was a tire issue at
the track. Two Toyota cars had rapid deflations on the left rear tire
during Friday practice. Michelin technical teams in France and in Greenville,
South Carolina worked through the weekend to determine the source of the
issue and to find a solution before the start of the race.

Formula One racing is one of the most demanding applications for tires
in the world, equipping highly complex and technical vehicles that operate
at speeds well over 200 mph. Tire regulations for the race are also very
strict, severely limiting the tire solutions that can be brought to the
race, used by the teams and also limiting tire maker access to the
tracks and to tire testing. The circuit at Indianapolis had been resurfaced
and diamond ground since last year's Grand Prix. Michelin was not allowed
on-track testing on the new surface before the race weekend, and
therefore had to make many critical assumptions about the new surface, race
circuit and its interaction with the tires. Bridgestone (through its Firestone
brand) participates in the Indianapolis 500, which allowed experience
with the new track surface prior to the F1 event.

Michelin, working with its partner teams, devised several solutions
which would have allowed all teams to compete in the race. These solutions
included airlifting in replacement tires from Spain which arrived in
Indy early Sunday morning. However, FIA regulations would not allow the new tires to be used in the race.

Nine of the ten competing teams also suggested adding a chicane just
before Turn 12-13. A chicane is essentially a lane change feature, or quick
turn added to the track layout to slow down the field at critical points.
While the Speedway was prepared to add the chicane and start the race on
time, one participating team and the FIA refused to allow the change.

Given the rejection of all Michelin solutions, the only option was to
advise its teams not to participate in the race with the available tires.
Michelin regrets that its tires were not suitable for use in racing conditions
this weekend, but driver safety is always a priority. Michelin will never
change its stance on this principle, whether we are talking about tires for
competition or any other purpose.

Michelin is very disappointed about the way the United States Grand
Prix turned out at Indianapolis, for the public, the drivers and the teams.
It is regrettable that our pre-race suggestions, agreed in conjunction with
our partner teams, were not adopted. If those proposals had been accepted,
we could have guaranteed driver safety, the participation of our teams and
added interest for the public.

Michelin would like to thank its seven partner teams for their close
collaboration, for having made propositions to the FIA and for having
respected our advice on safety issues. Michelin will continue to
investigate the technical reasons for the tire-related incidents that affected
Toyota during Friday's free practice.


Michelin North America
Consumer Relations Department

(Please Do Not Delete the line below.)
Email ID: 1408722

[VaSteve]

I couldn't open the link w/o registering. Who are they suing? F1? I hope they get every penny.

[Tim]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Three lawsuits have been filed by Formula One fans seething over the decision to stage the U.S. Grand Prix with only six cars.
Skip to next paragraph Reuters

A class-action lawsuit was filed in Indianapolis on behalf of Larry Bowers, who wants a refund for his five tickets and travel expenses from his home in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the Indianapolis Star reported Tuesday.

The suit, like two others filed Monday in Marion Superior Court, holds Formula One, the sport's governing body FIA and the Michelin tire company responsible for not holding the type of eventMotor Speedway, the newspaper reported.

Bowers, reached Tuesday at his Colorado Springs home, would not discuss the lawsuit and his lawyer, William Bock, was unavailable for comment.

[Mike W]

Originally Posted by OldTee

Given the rejection of all Michelin solutions, the only option was to advise its teams not to participate in the race with the available tires.

Repeating the same recyccled PR lines over and over again just make me more and more annoyed. This line seems to be implying that they feel that although they caused the situation, they were the damaged party because their suggestions were not adopted. Oh bof (French speakers will know what I mean).

[CrewChief]

Originally Posted by OldTee

Given the rejection of all Michelin solutions, ...

I also focused in on the above fragment. There were other solutions; but only a MICHELIN solution would do!! I blame the whole fiasco on Michelin.

Found this on f1live.com

What follows is a press release from the MinardiF1 team giving the views of Paul Stoddart.

"Much has been said about the farce that occurred on Sunday, June 19, in Indianapolis, and I feel that in the interests of transparency, it would be worthwhile for someone who was actually present, and participated in the discussions leading up to the start of the Grand Prix, to provide a truthful account of what took place, both for the 100,000-plus fans who were present, and for the hundreds of millions of people watching on television around the world.

While this is a genuine attempt to provide a factual timeline of the relevant events that took place, should any minor detail or sequence be disputed, it will not, in my opinion, affect in any way this account of events that led up to arguably the most damaging spectacle in the recent history of Formula One.

Background

For those who have not followed the recent political developments in Formula One, it is fair to say that, for over a year now, the majority of teams have felt at odds with the actions of the FIA and its President, Max Mosley, concerning the regulations, and the way in which those regulations have been introduced, or are proposed to be introduced. Not a weekend has gone by where some, or all, of the teams are not discussing or disputing these regulations. This is so much the case that it is common knowledge the manufacturers have proposed their own series commencing January 1, 2008, and this is supported by at least two of the independent teams. The general perception is that, in many instances, these issues have become personal, and it is my opinion that was a serious contributory factor to the failure to find a solution that would have allowed all 20 cars to compete in Sunday’s United States Grand Prix.

The Facts

Friday, June 17
I noticed that Ricardo Zonta’s Toyota had stopped, but in all honesty, did not pay any attention to the reasons why; however, I actually witnessed Ralf Schumacher’s accident, both on the monitors, and more significantly, I could see what took place from my position on the pit wall. This necessitated a red flag, and in the numerous replays on the monitors, it looked very much like the cause of the accident was a punctured rear tyre.

Throughout the afternoon, numerous people in the paddock suggested it was a tyre failure and commented that it was similar to the serious accident which befell Ralf Schumacher during the 2004 US Grand Prix. Later that evening was the first time I was aware of a potential problem with the Michelin tyres at this event. In all honesty, I didn’t pay a great deal of attention, as our team is on Bridgestone tyres.

Saturday, June 18
On arriving at the circuit, the word throughout the paddock was that there was a potential problem with the rear tyres supplied to all Michelin teams for this event, and it became evident as the first and second sessions were run that most of the affected teams were being very conservative with the amount of on-track running they were doing. In addition, Toyota announced that it had substituted Ricardo Zonta for Ralf Schumacher, who would take no further part in the event. Speculation was rife in the paddock that some Michelin teams might not take part in qualifying. Also, during the practice session, I was informed there would be a Team Principals’ meeting with Bernie Ecclestone at 1430 hrs after qualifying, which I incorrectly assumed would centre around the Michelin issue.

Qualifying took place, and indeed, all 20 cars qualified for Sunday’s Grand Prix.

At approximately 1420 hrs, I attended Bernie’s office, and with representatives present from all other teams, including Ferrari, the meeting commenced. Surprisingly, the main topic of conversation was the number of events and calendar for 2006, followed by a suggestion that a meeting be convened at the next Grand Prix to discuss two issues only – firstly, a proposal for a single-tyre supplier in Formula One, and secondly, whether or not it would be desirable to qualify with or without a race fuel load in 2006. Only at the very end of the meeting did the Michelin tyre issue arise, and in fairness, it was not discussed in any great detail. I personally found this strange, but as I have stated, it did not affect Minardi directly, and therefore I had no reason to pursue the matter.

Throughout Saturday evening, there was considerable speculation in the paddock that the tyre issue was much more serious than at first thought, and people were talking about a fresh shipment of tyres being flown overnight from France, and what penalty the Michelin teams would take should those tyres be used. By the time I left the paddock, people were taking bets on Minardi and Jordan scoring points!

Later that evening, I checked with our Sporting Director on what developments had occurred, and was told that the issue was indeed very serious, and the possibility existed that the Michelin teams would not take part in the race.

Sunday, June 19
I arrived at the circuit at 0815 hrs, only to find the paddock was buzzing with stories suggesting the Michelin teams would be unable to take part in the Grand Prix. I was then handed a copy of correspondence between Michelin, the FIA, and the Michelin teams that revealed the true extent of the problem. By now, journalists were asking if Minardi would agree to a variation of the regulations to allow the Michelin teams to compete, and what penalties I felt would be appropriate.

A planned Minardi press briefing took place at 0930 hrs, and as it was ending, I was summoned to an urgent meeting, along with Jordan, with Bernie Ecclestone, the two most senior Michelin representatives present at the circuit, IMS President Tony George, Team Principals, and technical representatives from the Michelin teams. At this meeting, Michelin, to its credit, admitted that the tyres available were unable to complete a race distance around the Indianapolis circuit without a change to the track configuration, so as to reduce the speed coming out of the last turn onto the banking. Much background information was provided as to the enormous efforts that Michelin, with support from its teams, had undertaken in the preceding 48 hours to try and resolve the problem, but it was clear that all those efforts had failed to produce a suitable solution that wouldn’t involve support from the non-Michelin teams, and ultimately, the FIA.

What was requested of the Bridgestone teams was to allow a chicane to be constructed at Turn 13, which would then allow Michelin to advise their teams that, in their opinion, the tyres would be able to complete the race distance. It was made very clear that this was the only viable option available, as previous suggestions from the FIA, such as speed-limiting the Michelin cars through Turn 13, could, and probably would, give rise to a monumental accident. This idea, as well as one concerning the possibility of pit stops every 10 laps, were dismissed, and discussion returned to the only sensible solution – a chicane. During this discussion, a technical representative with specific knowledge of the Indianapolis circuit, together with representatives from IMS, were tasked with preparing the design of a chicane, and Bernie Ecclestone agreed to speak with the one Team Principal not present, Mr Todt, and to inform the FIA President, Max Mosley, who was not present at Indianapolis, of the planned solution to allow the successful running of the US Grand Prix. With only a few hours now remaining to the start of the race, we agreed to reconvene as soon as Bernie had responses from Messrs Todt and Mosley.

At approximately 1055 hrs, Bernie informed us that not only would Mr Todt not agree, stating that it was not a Ferrari problem, but an FIA and a Michelin problem, but also Mr Mosley had stated that if any attempts were made to alter the circuit, he would cancel the Grand Prix forthwith. These words had a familiar tone to me, as they were similar to those I had heard around midnight on the Friday preceding the 2005 Australian Grand Prix, when I was told by all the senior FIA representatives present that the Australian Grand Prix would be cancelled forthwith if I did not withdraw pending legal action between Minardi and the FIA. Once again, Mr Mosley was not present at that Grand Prix! It is fair to say at this point that the vast majority of people present in the room both felt and stated that Mr Mosley had completely overstepped the mark, had no idea whatsoever of the gravity of the situation, and furthermore, cared even less about the US Grand Prix, its organisers, the fans, and indeed, the hundreds of millions of television viewers around the world who were going to be affected by his intransigence.

By this time, the nine teams had discussed running a non- championship race, or a race in which the Michelin teams could not score points, and even a race whereby only the Michelin teams used the new chicane, and indeed, every other possible option that would allow 20 cars to participate and put on a show, thereby not causing the enormous damage to Formula One that all those present knew would otherwise occur.


Continued on next reply