Only 6 cars for tomorrow's Formula One at Indy??

[Dr_Watson]

Monday June 20th:

Jacques Villeneuve, a past winner at the hugely popular Indy 500, admitted that he might not have finished his 'Bud' had he stood in the crowd.

''I'd probably to the same thing,'' said the Canadian. ''But it's not Ferrari's fault that our tyres don't work.

''I'm not sure that F1 will ever recover in America now.''

Bernie Ecclestone says he 'tried a million things' to convince F1 teams to race at Indianapolis.
''I am furious,'' the 74-year-old F1 supremo said.

Bernie said that, in the 'good old days', he would have forced them to the green light.

Indeed, Martin Brundle - ex-racer and TV pundit - recalled Adelaide 1991, when, in pouring rain, Ecclestone toured the grid, driver by driver, yelling them into their cars.

He said: ''Those days are over.

''Let's be honest. If you were a promoter you would not want to risk this happening again.

''We'd just started to build a great image for Formula One in America ... and that is all ruined.''

FIA president Max Mosley slammed Michelin for not bringing a 'back up' tyre to America, or taking up one of the governing body's race options.

''As a result,'' said the Briton, ''Formula One and motor sport fans are the losers.

''We are now awaiting a report from ... Indianapolis before deciding on the next step.''

And the future of F1 in America, and of Michelin in F1? ''Not good,'' Mr. Ecclestone stared, ''on both counts.''

this is really starting to turn into a nice shit-storm...
Though it is definately ironic, given the current political climate, that a French company fucked up the USGP.

[Nightshade]

I believe that that means 9 of the Michelin teams.

As for the "conspiracy" it's totally plausible, and in fact highly likely. I heard it voiced on the news this morning, and it makes plenty of sense as far as I'm concerned.

there is only 10 teams in formula 1
Jordan, Minardi, and Ferrari are the only ones on bridgestone...
i'll let you do the math on that.

Ah, so I stand partially corrected. Doesn't mean it was Ferrari, though.

[+JuggerNaut+]

Monday June 20th:

Jacques Villeneuve, a past winner at the hugely popular Indy 500, admitted that he might not have finished his 'Bud' had he stood in the crowd.

''I'd probably to the same thing,'' said the Canadian. ''But it's not Ferrari's fault that our tyres don't work.

''I'm not sure that F1 will ever recover in America now.''

Bernie Ecclestone says he 'tried a million things' to convince F1 teams to race at Indianapolis.
''I am furious,'' the 74-year-old F1 supremo said.

Bernie said that, in the 'good old days', he would have forced them to the green light.

Indeed, Martin Brundle - ex-racer and TV pundit - recalled Adelaide 1991, when, in pouring rain, Ecclestone toured the grid, driver by driver, yelling them into their cars.

He said: ''Those days are over.

''Let's be honest. If you were a promoter you would not want to risk this happening again.

''We'd just started to build a great image for Formula One in America ... and that is all ruined.''

FIA president Max Mosley slammed Michelin for not bringing a 'back up' tyre to America, or taking up one of the governing body's race options.

''As a result,'' said the Briton, ''Formula One and motor sport fans are the losers.

''We are now awaiting a report from ... Indianapolis before deciding on the next step.''

And the future of F1 in America, and of Michelin in F1? ''Not good,'' Mr. Ecclestone stared, ''on both counts.''

this is really starting to turn into a nice shit-storm...
Though it is definately ironic, given the current political climate, that a French company fucked up the USGP.

ironic indeed. although it's the sh*ttiest circuit on the schedule by a long margin, it sucks for the US. Watkins Glen would've been better, as would a few others.

again, sad, sad.

[+JuggerNaut+]

p.s. that quote from Villenueve was spot on.

[MKJ]

I had no idea my opinion had it's own race. Does it outnumber the blacks?

everyone's opinion outnumbers the blacks

[Dr_Watson]

ironic indeed. although it's the sh*ttiest circuit on the schedule by a long margin, it sucks for the US. Watkins Glen would've been better, as would a few others.

again, sad, sad.

i totally agree... the brick yard is a shit place to hold a grand prix.
it's been hugely disapointing since the first lap 6 years ago, especially given the plethora of tracks scattered accross the US that are so much better.
Infinion, Watkins glen, road america, road atlanta, sebring... just to name a few.
+ its not a great idea to invite international tourists to indiana... wtf... who's idea was that?
there is a perfectly good track in vegas that could be revamped and used... or hell, vegas has enough money to just build a brand spanking new track.
With the ammount of money the F1 circus brings into town you'd think las vegas would have been screaming for the USGP for years.

[Duhard]

I still remember when Villeneuve destroyed Schumacher to win his 1st World Championship.

[Timbo]

Helped by the fact he was disqualified for deliberately ramming Villeneuve. Also http://www.tardis.ed.ac.uk/~tma/schumacher-hill.mpg

My take on last weekend; Ultimately Michelin's fault, but the lack of a race is squarely the responsibility of the FIA. Having 3/4 of the field slow down at one corner is daft and unsafe. I can't understand what the problem with a chicane is. The Michelin teams were not going to score points, so the Ferraris would have inevitably got a 1, 2 on paper. There is precedent for introducing a chicane in light of safety, look at Spa 1994. There is no precedent for asking cars to slow down in one corner. Typical FIA stubborn nonsense if you ask me.

[Nightshade]

The seven Michelin teams who pulled out of Sunday’s race at Indianapolis are to face charges of breaching the International Sporting Code by committing "one or more acts prejudicial to the interests of a competition, namely the 2005 United States Grand Prix, and/or to the interests of motor sport generally."
Ron Dennis (GBR) McLaren Team Principal talks with Flavio Briatore (ITA) Renault Team Principal on the grid. Formula One World Championship, Rd 9, United States Grand Prix, Race, Indianapolis, USA, 19 June 2005
The BAR team discuss the Michelin tyre safety issue. Formula One World Championship, Rd 9, United States Grand Prix, Race, Indianapolis, USA, 19 June 2005 (L to R): Tsutomu Tomita (JPN) Chairman of Toyota Racing and Toyota Team Principal talks with Nick Fry (GBR) BAR Team Principal and Christian Horner (GBR) Red Bull Racing Sporting Director. Formula One World Championship, Rd 9, United States Grand Prix, Race Day, Indianapolis, USA, 19 June 2005

Nick Shorrock, Director of Michelin F1 Activities leaves an extraordinary meeting between team owners, Michelin, drivers, the FIA and circuit organisers to decide how to hold the GP. Formula One World Championship, Rd 9, United States Grand Prix, Race Day, Indianapolis, USA, 19 June 2005 An extraordinary meeting between team owners, Michelin, drivers, the FIA and circuit organisers to decide how to hold the GP. Formula One World Championship, Rd 9, United States Grand Prix, Race Day, Indianapolis, USA, 19 June 2005
In identical letters to the seven team bosses published by the FIA on Tuesday, Formula One’s governing body, who has summoned the teams to appear before the World Motor Sport Council next Wednesday, listed a number of charges.

The charges given are that, according to the FIA, each team:

• failed to ensure that they had a supply of suitable tyres for the race
• wrongfully refused to allow their cars to start the race
• wrongfully refused to allow their cars to race, subject to a speed restriction in one corner which was safe for such tyres as they had available
• combined with other teams to make a demonstration damaging to the image of Formula One by pulling into the pits immediately before the start of the race
• failed to notify the stewards of their intention not to race, in breach of Article 131 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations.

Article 131 states: "The starting grid will be published four hours before the race. Any competitor whose car(s) is (are) unable to start for any reason whatsoever (or who has good reason to believe that their car(s) will not be ready to start) must inform the stewards accordingly at the earliest opportunity and, in any event, no later than 45 minutes before the start of the race.”

The FIA told the teams they will be sent a full dossier of the charges within the next 24 hours and invited them to send any comments they should have in writing prior to their meeting with the Council in Paris on June 29.

Oh my, shitstorm indeed.

[Guest]

Wow... that's like pretty fucking nasty.

[+JuggerNaut+]

*grabs popcorn*

[+JuggerNaut+]

i knew there were rules along those lines, but i could not find any FIA compliancies in their online .pdf's.

good find. would you mind pointing to the source?

[Dr_Watson]

Tuesday June 21st

Following Sunday's offensive United States grand prix, the first lawsuits have been filed. The American 'Eyewitness News' says a Colorado man filed a class action against Formula One, Michelin, and the fabled 'Brickyard' circuit. He is seeking a refund, expenses and unknown punitive damages. In the 'Marion County' court, meanwhile, Jim Miller also filed a suit. ''It was utter confusion,'' he remarked of the race. '''No one knew what was taking place.'' At Indiana's 'Motor Speedway' on Monday, hundreds of fans queued, demanding a full refund. ''Indy had nothing to do with it,'' said Indianapolis mayor Bart Peterson. ''It was a decision by others that had a negative impact on all of us.'' F1 team boss Peter Sauber, though, denied that the Michelin boycott had anything to do with America's traditionally litigious society. ''We would have reacted the same in other countries,'' he said.

The world's press joined America in condemning the six car grand prix 'farce' at Indianapolis. Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport, so eager for a scarlet triumph, said a Michelin team boycott was not the way to achieve it. ''That was a farce,'' the newspaper proclaimed. 'Tuttosport' slammed fourteen apparently craven drivers for failing to stand up to bosses' orders to sit the race out. ''If they think motor racing is too dangerous,'' the editorial claimed, ''perhaps they should look for a new job.'' L'Equipe (France) ran with the headline 'Formula Zero', while Spanish title 'El Pais' said Indianapolis - the magnificent scene of motor racing history - witnessed a 'joke.' ''Michael Schumacher wins the Pantomime,'' 'Marca' proclaimed.

:icon19:

edit: my quotes are all from F1i btw.

[+JuggerNaut+]

drivers stand up to team bosses? LOL "Tuttosport" has no idea.

i agree though, you can't blame the venue for that. that's going to fall on the shoulders of Bernie Eccelstone who's in contract with them.

[Hannibal]

Who weeps for Joe Tanto?

[+JuggerNaut+]

who?

[Nightshade]

i knew there were rules along those lines, but i could not find any FIA compliancies in their online .pdf's.

good find. would you mind pointing to the source?

http://www.f1.com

[+JuggerNaut+]

i knew there were rules along those lines, but i could not find any FIA compliancies in their online .pdf's.

good find. would you mind pointing to the source?

http://www.f1.com

thanks

[Dr_Watson]

Ah, so I stand partially corrected. Doesn't mean it was Ferrari, though.

thats been confirmed now by alonso.

Wednesday, 22 June 2005
Two F1 drivers have defended Michelin and their teams for pulling out of Sunday's US GP. ''Imagine if someone went into the wall and then to hospital,'' championship leader Fernando Alonso told the Spanish 'Marca' newspaper. He said: ''Then that would be the big newspaper headline. ''We should remember that not only do us drivers risk our lives, but also those of spectators.'' 23-year-old Alonso, though, said he would've - safety aside - gladly joined Ferrari, Jordan and Minardi on the grid. ''The problem was that we weren't allowed,'' Fernando insisted. Sauber's Jacques Villeneuve agreed that no other option befell the French tyre supplier. ''Ferrari didn't accept putting in a chicane,'' the Canadian told jv-world.com. ''It's terrible, but there was nothing we could do about it.'' Recent Champ Car winner and ex-Toyota F1 driver Cristiano da Matta, on the other hand, criticised the sport for not finding a better way out of the mess. ''Running the race with six cars was the wrong thing to do,'' said the Brazilian. ''But you can't let the race happen with dangerous tyres.''

[Dr_Watson]

ahahahaha! :icon19:

1992 world champion Nigel Mansell unloaded a vitriolic attack on the 'shameful fiasco', and vowed to snub his annual visit to Silverstone. ''It was a sick joke,'' he told the Daily Mail, ''and like watching someone commit suicide. ''I feel so numbed and so sick ... I just can't face (attending).''

[Nightshade]

Hmm, that's very disappointing.

[Dr_Watson]

Jean Todt has hit out at claims that Ferrari's stubbornness ruined the United States grand prix. Amid assertions that the Prancing Horse vetoed Michelin's chicane suggestion, Ferrari's team principal said he wanted to compete in a twenty car field. ''Now I am just nervous about the damage done to Formula One's image,'' Todt told the famous Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport. The Frenchman continued: ''We would have agreed to a tyre change of the Michelin teams.'' And, referring to Michelin's option to simply slow down in the banked corner, or drive through pitlane each lap: ''I would not have objected to an increase in the pit speed limit. ''I am sure the (F1) Commission would have agreed also.''

allright... i'm done hating on ferrari now. This was apparently all the FIA's doing.
Why the fuck was max mosley and bernie ecclesone against the michelin teams using new tires?
wtf?? even ferrari was cool with that idea.
the FIA is run by asshats.

[Dr_Watson]

wow... bernie is apparently a sexist pig:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8317370/

Among the comments Ecclestone made in the interview and to Patrick was that “Women should be all dressed in white like all other domestic appliances.”

“she would have to be a woman who was blowing away the boys. ... What I would really like to see happen is to find the right girl, perhaps a black girl with super looks, preferably Jewish or Muslim, who speaks Spanish.”

wtf kind of drugs is that silly old man on??

[+JuggerNaut+]

Jean Todt has hit out at claims that Ferrari's stubbornness ruined the United States grand prix. Amid assertions that the Prancing Horse vetoed Michelin's chicane suggestion, Ferrari's team principal said he wanted to compete in a twenty car field. ''Now I am just nervous about the damage done to Formula One's image,'' Todt told the famous Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport. The Frenchman continued: ''We would have agreed to a tyre change of the Michelin teams.'' And, referring to Michelin's option to simply slow down in the banked corner, or drive through pitlane each lap: ''I would not have objected to an increase in the pit speed limit. ''I am sure the (F1) Commission would have agreed also.''

allright... i'm done hating on ferrari now. This was apparently all the FIA's doing.
Why the fuck was max mosley and bernie ecclesone against the michelin teams using new tires?
wtf?? even ferrari was cool with that idea.
the FIA is run by asshats.

*cough*

[+JuggerNaut+]

with all the attention on the farcical US GP, this one flew under the radar for me!

BMW acquires majority of Sauber Petronas

in 2006, i don't think Villeneuve will be around though. I wonder what BMW has up their sleeves? good news though, i think, especially since BMW and Williams' relationship has gone down the toilet in the past few months. they need Renault or Honda again.