Sunday, June 19, 2005
Total Recall
Formula One is a funny sport. There are legions of fans around the world, the biggest brand names as sponsors and never a shortage of controversy.
Now, on the heels of The United States Grand Prix (at the Indy Motor Speedway), comes word that Michelin does not want any driver (seven F-1 teams) using their tires to start the race due to safety concerns. Needless to say the race is in jeopardy hours before its scheduled start Sunday.
Michelin, the world's largest tire maker, has been unable to determine why some of its tires failed during Friday's practice sessions at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. One failure led to an accident that knocked German Ralf Schumacher out of Sunday's race.
In a letter to the FIA sent late Saturday night, Michelin officials said they informed teams that it could not guarantee that its tires are safe - particularly in the high-banked final turn where Schumacher and Toyota teammate Ricardo Zonta both wrecked. The tire maker asked for permission to change the tires - F-1 teams are forced to race on the same set of tires they qualify with - or the use of a chicane in turn 13 to slow the speeds.
F-1 officials are taking their advice and informing the teams that they should change tires, right? Nope. The FIA sent back a sharply worded response, questioning how the tire maker landed in this position and warning the teams that they would be heavily penalized if they changed tires. The governing body also denied use of an obstacle.
Michelin responded Sunday, saying its teams could not use the original tires. The company supplies tires to seven of the 10 teams - 14 of 20 cars in Sunday's race - including championship leaders Renault and leading rival McLaren-Mercedes.
Not satisfied, The FIA replied with a terse letter, refusing to budge on the issue.
''Your teams have a choice of running more slowly in turns 12-13, running a tire not used in qualifying (which would attract a penalty) or repeatedly changing a tire (subject to valid safety reasons),'' FIA race director Charlie Whiting wrote. ''It is for them to decide. We have nothing to add.''
Leave it to the FIA uphold their elitism and bullshit over safety. These are the same hooligans who extort millions from governments around the world (including Quebec and Canada) with veiled threats to pull their races.
I can hardly wait until Jack Todd (of the Montreal Gazette) throws his two cents in.
Now, on the heels of The United States Grand Prix (at the Indy Motor Speedway), comes word that Michelin does not want any driver (seven F-1 teams) using their tires to start the race due to safety concerns. Needless to say the race is in jeopardy hours before its scheduled start Sunday.
Michelin, the world's largest tire maker, has been unable to determine why some of its tires failed during Friday's practice sessions at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. One failure led to an accident that knocked German Ralf Schumacher out of Sunday's race.
In a letter to the FIA sent late Saturday night, Michelin officials said they informed teams that it could not guarantee that its tires are safe - particularly in the high-banked final turn where Schumacher and Toyota teammate Ricardo Zonta both wrecked. The tire maker asked for permission to change the tires - F-1 teams are forced to race on the same set of tires they qualify with - or the use of a chicane in turn 13 to slow the speeds.
F-1 officials are taking their advice and informing the teams that they should change tires, right? Nope. The FIA sent back a sharply worded response, questioning how the tire maker landed in this position and warning the teams that they would be heavily penalized if they changed tires. The governing body also denied use of an obstacle.
Michelin responded Sunday, saying its teams could not use the original tires. The company supplies tires to seven of the 10 teams - 14 of 20 cars in Sunday's race - including championship leaders Renault and leading rival McLaren-Mercedes.
Not satisfied, The FIA replied with a terse letter, refusing to budge on the issue.
''Your teams have a choice of running more slowly in turns 12-13, running a tire not used in qualifying (which would attract a penalty) or repeatedly changing a tire (subject to valid safety reasons),'' FIA race director Charlie Whiting wrote. ''It is for them to decide. We have nothing to add.''
Leave it to the FIA uphold their elitism and bullshit over safety. These are the same hooligans who extort millions from governments around the world (including Quebec and Canada) with veiled threats to pull their races.
I can hardly wait until Jack Todd (of the Montreal Gazette) throws his two cents in.
# posted by Shaky @ 11:15 a.m. 
