So, are you suggesting that what happened was the best compromise? Running only 3 teams? The drivers temselves are professionals, most getting paid well over $1M. Surely they can adapt to a changed course one day before the actual race.

 

I think barnett hit it on the head. Michelin did not come ready. Simple as that. Whether or not the track was beat up the fact of the matter is they did not have a tire to take the beating, Bridgestone did. I wholeheartedly agree with the FIA and Ferrari. The rules have been in place for how long now? The track configuration has been set for how many years?

It sucks that I burned a weekend to go see it but I'm not mad about anything. I think everyone involved did the right thing. Michelin knew they had a dangerous tire because they weren't prepared so they sat out. Ferrari got a load of points and they deserve it as did the Jordan.

If I were Bridgestone I'd take this and market it to the max. People will talk with their wallets.

As for the future I think the USGP has been damaged and I don't know what they can do to reverse it. Perhaps the FIA will remove the tire restrictions with the coming of the 2.4L V8's. In any case I don't think the sanctioning body should yield to a single manufacturer especially if that manufacturer is the dominant one in the series and has much more test time each year than it's competitor.

 

hmm rules are there for a reason, why the hell would FIA change anything to accomadate Michelin. Yes these drivers get paid over $1MM, but the car has been dialed in and set up for the track without a chicane. You guys are really quick to blame the FIA, but why isn't it Michelins fault. They brought the **** *** tires and they were not prepared to race, plain and simple. If anyone ruined the race, it would be michelin. I really don't understand you guys who keep saying the rules should have changed to let the race go on... so how fair will that be if they did that? I think you guys are more enticed with watching the cars go around the track rather than seeing a fair competition.

it is afterall a competition right?

nebo

 

Michelin has their F1 fiasco, Bridgestone had to deal with their Firestone debacle. We should just have Goodyear come back

 

I blame Michelin and the FIA. The race would not have been less exciting if the FIA allowed the chicane to be put in. The Michelin issue could have been handled offline between the FIA, the teams and Michelin on Monday after the race.

 

I think they should have made Michelin order some Bridgestones for everyone. That would have solved it.

 

What a fiasco. I believe when any sport puts poitical infighting above the interests of its own fans, it is doomed. Were F-1 composed of men of good-will who truly cared about the sport and the fans who support it, something could have been worked out. Instead they have cut off their nose to spite their face. I dont see F-1 returning to the US anytime soon or, if it does, anyone caring.

 

Nope. The cars are tuned for the tires and vice versa - the tire compounds and parameters are tuned for the cars. It wouldn’t work.

 

First I do feel very bad for all the fans that went to Indy and had this happen.

Now I don't blame the FIA at all for this. Rules are well known and the tracks are well known. If I heard correctly when there was a test day at Indy earlier this year only 1 or 2 Michelin teams showed up. At the level of F1, you just can't make changes at the last minute to compensate someone. Its the highest level of motorsports and needs to be treated that way. After this event the rules now do need to be reviewed and see if they are really doing what they were intended too?

Michelin should take the major blame and should have to compensate somehow.

I personally would love to see this cause F1 to move from Indy. I would love to see F1 go to a track like Road America, Laguna, Watkins, or Mid Ohio. Real tracks that are not infield ovals. Then again I will never have anything to do with anything Mr. George touches.

 

I agree. Unfortunately big egos like Ecclestone and Mosley would not give an inch.

 

I'll vote with my wallet - No Michelins or BFG's for me.


Now if they want to refund my ticket with a set of tires, I'll take the PS2's, thank you very much.

Highlights of the weekend, We arrived in time to watch qualifying. Great to see Toyota grab the pole. With Kimi beside him and Jenson in third, it looked to be a great race. Watched the Super Cup race that afternoon from the east berms. Lovely sounds from those cars, but the safety SLK and wagon V8's were even better.

Hit downtown for dinner and beer at the Ram Microbrewery. My favorite was the porter. Also say Mr & Mrs Smith. Indy's downtown was nice. If only KC could be like that.

Saw another good SuperCup race Sunday morning. Zampedri was duking it out for 2nd. I was in Stand J, Section 22, perfect for his turn one pass and repass. Everyone Cheered!

1 pm comes, cars take off and then return to the pits, WTF!?! 10 laps into it and people are tossing bottles on the track. Not wanting to be a part of any riots, my wife and I left. Passed the Indiana Troopers in Lot 1A who were donning riot gear. This could get scary. Made it back home by 11:00.

Will I go back next year? Right now, No. I actually paid $105 to see qualifying and 2 supercup races. That was too much. I want at least a partial refund since I didn't get what was advertised. I would like to see Michelin pay for it. Just my opinion.

 

although i totally agree that the race was ****, i doubt your going to get any kind of refund. afterall, a F1 race was advertised, and that is exactly what was held. only with 6 cars. if i paided to see a NASCRAP "show" and all but 6 of the cars crashed out, people wouldn't be begging for their money back would they? this is essentially what happened, and even if there is some kind of class action lawsuit it wont hold up because they did hold a race just like the ticket you hold said you would get.

 

What a travesty. The end result being F1 is doomed in the US. Such a shame it happened to the fans of the sport regardless of who's to blame.

I will say this; shame on those idiots who decided to take out their frustrations by throwing water bottles & such onto the track. I certainly felt their pain, but there were 6 other cars trying to make a race of it and putting them in harm's way is just unacceptable behavior and makes US fans look like a bunch dumb-asses.

 

http://www.formula1.com/news/3209.html

 

Very dissapointing to see six cars on the starting grid. The blame is on Michelin, however, Indianapolis is a very unique circuit for the F-1 championship. I don't believe it is one of the nominated test circuits so Michelin teams could not have exposed the flaw in the 2005 spec tire beforehand. Firestone races in the 500 and may have been able to provide insight to their owner Bridgestone in preparation for their 2005 Indy F1 tires. Ferrari has never been ashamed of their wins no matter what the circumstances, as the previous seasons have been essentially the same expectation for the winner to be either of the Ferrrari's, this time there were fewer backmakers.....