USA Grand Prix b.s.

[Syn]

.... So, anyone care to comment on wtf's going on right now? I've never seen anything like it, 6 cars racing. I'm on the side of the teams personally, I think they made the right call.

[Manny]

This is so wrong, the worst move they could have done for the fans , especially at Indy....

[Piotrov]

I watched the beginning and once i saw 6 cars start i turned off the tv.
This will defenatly hurt the F1 spirit in America.
And to think toyota may have won this one!

I dont understand why they did not let Michelin run with their alternate tires :?:

[Pete00]

I dont understand why they did not let Michelin run with their alternate tires :?:

FIA allows only 1 set of tires to be used for each weekend...something along those lines.

[lil_lissa]

what happened?

[BRAI]

Michelin says their tires aren't safe for this track after an incident with the Toyota team. All Michelin teams sit the race out.

[Piotrov]

basicly what Brai said. 14 teams out of 20 were running on Michelin tires which Michelin deemed Unsafe for the track. The teams having no choice could not run the race on unsafe tires as the blame would fall on the team since they sent a unsafe car out on the track. All teams on Michelins pleaded with the FIA to put a chicaine before the last turn which was the biggest problem. However the FIA put their foot down as according to the rules the course can not be changed and ran without a practice run after the change. With the Michelin ran teams having no choice they did the warmup lap to comply with their contract and pulled the cars into the pits. The fans dident know what was happening and as soon as only 6 cars (Ferrari being the only big team) went off the start, the spectators were furious and started to walk out in numbers.

[Piotrov]

if anyone needs more clarification or is curious here is some more info for ya all

http://www.fia.com/mediacentre/Press_Releases/FIA_Sport/2005/June/190605-02.html

[brandon6976]

I would walk thats for suure.

[wedge]

FIA allows only 1 set of tires to be used for each weekend...something along those lines.

They could have changed tires, but they would have been penalized, I think it's one lap per tire changed. Or maybe it's a 30sec stop-go penalty... or something like that anyway

[Piotrov]

if thats the case then why not allow the new tire?

[Syn]

They could have changed tires, but they would have been penalized, I think it's one lap per tire changed. Or maybe it's a 30sec stop-go penalty... or something like that anyway

Actually, i believe it's a disqualification. They are quite strict with the rules, anything that gives you clear advantage gets you booted. They can only legally change a tire if it's showing signs of being unsafe to drive on. In the case of yesterday, the tires had a flaw which resulted in a complete failure under extreme load (banked high speed corner), and props to teams who put human life ahead of the race :thumbup:

And Michelin did have backup tires available, but upon further inspection before the race, they suffered from the same flaw the race tires did. At least thats what was said later on during the 'race' when information seeped in.

What annoyed me was ignorant Americans throwing debris on the race track. Sure it's OK to be angry, but don't pull stupid sh*t like that.

[Sir Charles]

This is a very complicated situation guys and girls!

Yes it's all Michelin's fault. The FIA has rules and they had to follow it. The only thing the Michelin equip team could have done is race for a few laps (something like 5 laps) and then stop for ''mecanical failure''. I know it would still have been bad for the show but at least the hole thing would have been less dramatic. The teams tryed to make the FIA go around their own rules but they stand by them. Witch was exacly what they had to do! The FIA will be hearing the Teams next week and they will be penalized!

I understand the danger that was there, but the teams didn't react the right way. Only a few laps (btw Michelin said the tire would last 10 laps) and they would have been ok. The kind of punishement they will get is a discualification of 1,2 or 3 races but AFTER the season is over. So we'll probably see Michael Shumacker champion by default at the end of the season!

The worst thing is only the fans that follow the F1 carefully can fully understand the complexity of this situation.

[wedge]

Actually, i believe it's a disqualification. They are quite strict with the rules, anything that gives you clear advantage gets you booted.

Nope, they could have changed the tires and been subject to a penalty. But it's already been stated that even the replacement tires they received suffered from the same problem.


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

[Sir Charles]

I've heard the same thing as Andrew (Syn), they would have been discalify.

The stupid thing they offered (Michelin and the teams) was to race without making any points! What the hell!! No points!! No one would have raced in this condition for sure!!!

[Syn]

The problem is with F1, they are changing far too many rules, regulations, etc... It's just a big f*ck-up over the last couple of years. Seems like they change qualifying every month, change chassis restrictions and rules all the time, etc... I find myself losing interest in it.