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

[Mark J. Besso]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "tihol tiholov"
Subject: Re: OTT: US Formula 1 race great for Ferarri, bad for


<snip>
I'm not a ferrarist but they are the only team in F1 to build both the car 
and the engine, have to respect that.
TT
<snip>

Don't forget that Toyota, the winner of the pole at Indy, also build their 
own engine, transmission, and chassis.  I do respect that.  I also respect 
that they were hamstrung by the Michelin tires' inability to run the race 
distance safely.

>From what I've read online, heard on TV, and the opinions expressed on this 
list, I still place the blame on Michelin.  It's a separate issue if the 
Michelin-shod teams face 'charges' from the FIA for practices that go 
against the sporting regulations of F1.

It's a rare day that you'll find me defending the likes of Tony George or 
the FIA.  In this case I think they're both correct.  Tony and the Speedway 
paid a huge sum of money for the rights to host F1 in this country.  They 
didn't get the 'show' they paid for.  In turn, neither did any of the fans 
that paid their money to Tony for the chance to see a [fully attended] race. 
The FIA did the right thing in defending their rules. (I really can't 
believe I'm defending FIA's position!)  If you go back to the analogy one 
lister made of the Boston Marathon - it would be as if a team from one 
country said their runners aren't competitive on steep hills so let's change 
the course and have less hills.  Sorry, your runners need to be prepared for 
the Boston Marathon.  It's got hills!  Indianapolis has a 9° banking in one 
of the longest sustained-acceleration turns in F1.  One lister mentioned 
"Eau Rouge" at Spa, but that's more of a vertical loading than lateral. 
Monza has the "parabolica" turn and Suzuka has the "spoon", but neither is 
banked and the speed isn't as high in either one.

I don't pretend to have the answers to what played out on Sunday.  It sure 
will be an interesting event to follow though.  FWIW, I hope that the fans 
are either partially refunded or compensated via extensively discounted 
tickets for a future USGP. (If there is one!)  I hope the teams are found 
guilty of behavior detrimental to the sport of F1, but that Michelin is 
forced to pay whatever fines are levied.

~Mark