OTT: US Formula 1 race great for Ferarri, bad for Michelin

[JB - Listserv/Spam Acct]

Michelin couldn't say that the new tires were safe.

As to earlier comments, it is my understanding that the decision to
not install a chicane was made before consulting Ferrari. Even so, if
Frank Williams were in Ferrari's shoes he would have gone out and
raced too -- why should a team be penalized for adhering to the rules?

I do think there is an obligation to the fans, to put on a race but
Michelin brought the wrong equipment to the race. I can't believe I'm
defending the FIA but they have an obligation to make and enforce the
rules. The rule makers proposed a (lame) solution and Michelin didn't
accept it.

http://www.formula1.com/race/news/3209/740.html


On 6/21/05, Bob D <bob at audisport.com> wrote:
> IIRC, michelin offered to ship in new safe tires for them to race on.
> Max Mosley said NO. Then Michelin said its ok to use those tires, but
> put in a chicane on turn 13. Max Mosely said NO.
> Not sure Id place all the blame on Michelin...
> 
> 
> Mike Veglia wrote:
> 
> >Michelin and the teams that run them are 100% at
> >fault. The fans got screwed, F1's presence in the USA
> >likely got screwed, but there is only one place to lay
> >blame, and that is Michelin I'm afraid. The root of
> >the problem can be also attributed to tire wars, and
> >this supposed cost saving rule of running race
> >distance on a set of tires
> >
> >According to Peter Windsor on SPEED TV's Wind Tunnel
> >program Sunday night. Michelin was told of the track
> >resurfacing and the Michelin running teams were
> >invited to a tire test. I don't recall which two, but
> >two teams sent two cars (one each) with test drivers
> >to Indy to test tires with Michelin. Meanwhile, the
> >majority of team testing was held at Silverstone
> >instead. Obvious to see priorities lied here. That was
> >the opportunity for Michelin Engineers and teams to
> >"get it right" and they failed, miserably.
> >
> >Adding a chicane in the 11th hour because Michelin
> >failed to provide reliable and safe equipment really
> >wasn't an option. Clearly the technical hurdles were
> >not insurmountable, after all the struggling Ferrari
> >team finally got a decent qualifying result and ran
> >race distance at a solid pace just fine. In fact, none
> >of the Bridgestone teams had a tire problem.
> >
> >The only underlying conspiracy here is the opportunity
> >for the breakaway teams to use this as a reason to
> >begin the "split" in F1. Of course American open wheel
> >fans only know all too well what happens when a strong
> >series splits off into two. The best open wheel race
> >in the USA last weekend was likely in Portland, but
> >not many cared.