For all the hubub, the Indy fiasco does have a precedent. In 1959, the German Grand Prix at the AvusRing near Berlin was boycotted by all the British teams, who deemed the bumpy bankings too hazardous for their fragile and lightweight cars. Ferrari went on to win in the absence of Cooper and Lotus.
Here is the latest on the USGP:
Michelin has offered to refund tickets bought by the spectators of the USGP. The tire firm has also offered to buy 20,000 tickets for the 2006 USGP (if held) to be given to spectators who were present at the 2005 event. Nice, but what about hotel and travel expenses?
In the meantime, the FIA struck out at Michelin, saying that there is
"reason to believe that Michelin has suffered at least two major high-speed failures at private testing," and that the company's tires have been "prone to sidewall failures in the past two years". The FIA wants full disclosure or may allow the organizers of the French GP stewards to "exercise their power under Article 127 of the International Sporting Code." In other words, bar Michelin shod cars from running due to safety reasons.
Later in the day, the FIA meeting found that seven teams were found guilty of two charges: "Not being in possession of suitable tires and wrongfully refusing to start the race." Michelin cannot be punished because it is only a supplier.
And lastly, the six manufacturer teams,, BAR, Williams, Renault, McLaren, Toyota and Sauber, will appeal the charges held against them.
Below are a few letters from our readers on the subject.
Sirs,
All the cars showed up with proper equipment, although Michelin obviously did not. Your attitude towards the Michelin teams really stinks. I believe that the FIA is in Ferrari's pocket, and that may be why a reasonable solution was not forthcoming.
Eric Bernhard
Dear Erik,
I must write I don't agree with your analysis of this scandal. The main point is the F1 world is a circus since many years which is not interested in what spectators could think. The Sunday crisis was the demonstration of several fights between Ferrari vs the other big ones, between the constructors (except Ferrari) vs the FIA, between Michelin vs the FIA. I am afraid the FIA cannot manage all this little world of big interests.
Michelin made a mistake, but they communicated clearly: the FIA did not save the show and Ferrari stayed alone at its own corner as usual. It's a pity for the spectators at Indy, but the FIA does not care about them since years: the real customers are the TV channels. This could have happened at any other GP, in Malaysia or Belgium (but the spectators would have been more malicious in Europe! Not against Ferrari but to avoid the FIA ...) I don't like your title "Michelin says non to America", just because America is a very important market for Michelin. Nevermind about I'm French because Michelin is no more French but worldwide company (my car wears excellent Goodyear's!).
Car racing is an international sports since years, it's a good mix of talents from all the countries. There is nothing to see with different nationalities. Please don't take that way! I stopped my interest of F1 races since 10 years thanks to the FIA rules, but I was at Le Mans last weekend where three fantastic American teams won the GT2 class on Porsches. They made a really good job supporting by many French spectators. Note Michelin won in all classes (clink!). Thank you for your very interesting letter, don't be angry with me for my point of view, and keep going red!
Sincerely yours,
Hubert Baradat
