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

[Mike Veglia]

--- 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...

I do, but only if what Peter Windsor said that night
on windbag, er Wind Tunnel, was true. If Michelin and
the Michelin shod teams really blew off the invite to
a tire test at Indy _in advance of race weekend_ as he
said they did, then they screwed up. Tire makers are
required to show up with two tire selections.
Apparently both selections from Michelin were not
suitable. It appears that Michelin tire engineers blew
it, badly. The time to show up with tires that will
work for a Grand Prix weekend is before wheels are
turned. If Michelin was really in a position to "ship
in new safe tires for them to race on" (which I have
not heard anywhere else BTW) then why weren't they
there Friday morning?! Bottom line, the fans got
screwed and that's sad for all of us. However, showing
up with safe and relaible equipment for 7 teams (14
cars) to run with also would have avoided this whole
unfortunate mess. Michelin failed to do that.


Mike Veglia
Motor Sport Visions Photography
http://www.motorsportvisions.com