USGP. What a political POS race. Options

[ESPCamaro]

MY GOD did anyone see what happened. The USGP started SIX CARS. All Michilin tired cars took a warm up lap then parked.

Probably the death of a USGP for a few years.



Sheesh and some people say that the SCCA and NASCRAP is a political mess.....

[trackbird]

I missed it. Tire issues (based on what I could gather from the other thread)?

[y5e06]

I would have so amazingly pissed if I had paid good money for air fare, lodging, food, and tickets for this to happen.
I mean, there have to be so many livid fans right now.
It liken it to the baseball strike some years back.
To this day I don't care much for MLB, I used to be a diehard fan (cardinals).
That really burned me

A delayed start and chicane would have been better.
Or at least allow tire changes at each of the pit stops.

[firehawkclone]

Only toyota had an issue(ok 2) and 1 was under braking (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) I blame Michelin for not bringing the right tire (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rant.gif) and couldn't find a problem with the tire's at all (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/bs.gif) Than they pull all of them from racing (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/bs.gif)

After that, the FIA could have done this and the team's could have done that! But in the end im not thier to help you beat me or get you on the track (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) not at that level of racing!

Some of those 14 driver's were willing to take that risk! It's not like they don't take that same risk with almost every part on that car (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) Like suspension and wing's just shattering!

Maybe im just being narrow minded (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

[SuperMacGuy]

It was a joke.. I have some Le Mans and Champ Car on tape to watch that will certainly be far more entertaining. My estimation of F1 has just gone back down many notches.

[rmackintosh]

...In my opinion F1 has been a bad joke for MANY years...this year was shaping up to get me interested in watching again for the first time in YEARS....this whole fiasco will probably end that trend....like others, baseball has been dead to me since the strike...and I could care less to THIS DAY....this may do the same for F1 for me..... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

...and Jon....NO DOUBT, it was Michelin's fault for not being prepared, but a compromise could have/should have been worked out....what transpired was a level of negotiation a bunch of Kindergarteners could have worked out....F1 is BIG BUSINESS....time to act like businessmen and learn to work out differences...JMHO...

[conemark]

I was truly baffled by the childish way that this whole tire fiasco was handled. In speaking with my wife, we concluded that if we had spent a fair chunk of change to see an F1 race in Europe, we would be beyond livid. Somehow, those fans should be given some sort of preference for tickets at another venue.

You can't really fault the teams for not wanting to expose their driver's to the risk of bad tires. Afterall, at the local level, don't we stress the importance of safety above everything else? Many of the Michelin shod teams even went as far as to propose that they would forfeit points and grid position for the event as part of a modified course. Michelin went to great lengths to get tires airlifted only to find out that the FIA would not approve them for use.

In the end, I see a majority of fault placed on the FIA. Their inflexibility to compromise left fans jaded and angry.

[axoid]

I was there yesterday and I would like to thank the three teams that came ready to race. I stayed to the end and stood and clapped for all three teams. The other teams did what they had to do, unfortunately. The FIA shoulders some blame for the idiotic one tire rule, but the majority falls on Michelin for coming with an unsafe tire. There are plenty of ovals in the world so their claim that they couldn't test for a 6 degree bank sounds hollow. I do think that not changing to course was the right choice, who knows what effects the chicane could have caused. The cure could have been worse that the disease.

I don't F1 has to be dead in the US. It is wounded and it is up to those with the power to heal it. The American sports fan is forgiving, eventually. Look at the health of Baseball and Basketball and I would bet in five years Hockey. But that doesn't mean there isn't a price to pay.

Michelin should be run out of racing, this was shameful. The FIA needs to get off their self-serving buts and take good care of the sport by making good thought out decisions, not the slash and burn rule making they have exhibited the last few years.

[sgarnett]

Michelin definitely screwed up; no doubt about it. However, there were a few critical tidbits in the Speed Channel coverage that were barely mentioned:

1) Michelin's backup tires had the same problem.
2) The FIA's pissy response letter clearly put the blame on Michelin, and in effect told anyoine involved to go f*ck themselves. It also hinted that Michelin's future status as a tire supplier for F1 may be in doubt.
3) There was ALREADY a rule change proposal on the books to go to a single tire supplier in the future (along with eliminating the tread grooves).

To me, all the pieces add up to someone at the FIA wanting to oust Michelin anyway, and they seized the opportunity to fortify their position.

Ferrari may have also voiced opposition to the chicane. I don't know, but it wouldn't have taken a genius to see that their reputation and image could only suffer. If they DID oppose it, they were idiots to do so.

The one and only right course of action would have been to add the chicane. Indy was ready to do it. All teams would have been affected equally. Instead, the paying fans were really the ones who were used as pawns (ie screwed), and that's shameful.

Of course, all the FIA can do is pull its sanction. So be it. Run the race without points. At least the fans and sponsors would still get what they paid for. F1 must share part of the blame.

In other words, as far as I'm concerned the FIA and F1 willfully defrauded the fans and sponsors to advance their own agenda.

Michelin screwed up, but at least they had the balls to notify everyone before the race instead of just quietly crossing their fingers and letting people risk their lives.

I don't think the alternate tires or speed limits for the Michelin drivers were the answer. I'm sure someone at Michelin will be fired, but it's really the execs of the FIA and possibly F1 who should be immediately fired - not asked to resign for "personal reasons", but simply FIRED.

[rmackintosh]

I don't see why all the people are coming down so hard on Michelien....YES, the BLEW IT big time and screwed their teams by supplying bad tires, but they DID offer up SEVERAL compromises to give the fans what they paid for. Think about it...with the foreign interest in F1, there was A TON of people who spent thousands and thousands of $$$$'s to get there from places like Brazil, Canada, Columbia, you name it....F1 just screwed them as well....HARD CORE F1 fans...

THERE WAS NO REASON A COMPROMISE COULD NOT/SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN MADE!

The whole screw you flavor to the thing REAKS of why F1 is never gonna grow very much. Eclstone doesn't even have the balls to stick around and explain his/FIA's decision????? (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) Until the FIA and Eclstone are GONE, or get a better attitude, or learn some product marketing skills, which will NEVER happen as Eclstone thinks he S%$TS gold, F1 is doomed to repeat this kind of crap.....some call F1 the pinacle of racing...I haven't for years because of just this type of political bull$%$T...makes NASCAR look like a "reputable" sport....

Michelin surely deserves blame here...but the FIA and Eclstone are the culprits here for basically CARING NOTHING about the hundreds of thousands of fans at the race, the thousands of support folks at the race, and the MILLIONS of viewers around the world...let's hope the F1 fan world has the guts to say "SCREW YOU" back to Eclstone and the FIA and cut attendance by a significant amount the last races of the season...THIS is the ONLY way to get Eclstone and the FIA to listen/be held accountable for their whole supremist attitude....

Sorry for the rant, I just am so tired of F1 and the circus atmosphere and hearing all the BS about how great F1 is...... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/banghead.gif)

[beuke23]

I personally would still put the blame on Michelin. AFAIC, they didn't do enough testing to bring the right tires.

As Peter Windsor said, even if FIA would allow the chicane and let the Michelin teams run w/o earning points, it's not fair to the B'stone teams. What happens when B'stone is having problems, ask FIA to alter something to their favor?

I know the teams pulled out in the name of safety of their drivers, but they could've done something about it. I liked the idea of running through the pit lane for the Michelin teams. Or pit every other lap or sumthin'. And to make sure the drivers don't try to actually race all out risking their lives, remind them they're not earning points. Just be out there. Granted it'll be lame, but I would rather see that, as bizarre as it sounds, than seeing 6 cars on the track.

I dunno, the whole thing is just complicated.

The FIA shoulders some blame for the idiotic one tire rule, but the majority falls on Michelin for coming with an unsafe tire

I never understood that rule. If they cared for safety, why only one set of tires? Whatever money they're saving is not worth it over the safety of the drivers.

Hope IRL don't pull anything funny when I see 'em at The Glen.

[nape]

I watched part of qualifying but that was it.

What was the issue with the tires? Flying apart?

[trackbird]

[devil's advocate mode on]

Ok....It sucks, I fully agree. But, what if?

What if you got to an event and were told that you could only run the track (road course) in 1st gear? Would you run?

How about them telling you to pit every other lap? Would you run?

Maybe on every lap, you (or all F-bodies on course) had to drive through the parking lot and then back on track (in a not F body only race). Would you run?

Or, you arrive at the track and find that every set of tires in the trailer have 1/32nd inch of tread left before hitting the cords (knowing that you could get through the race with 12 tire changes, thus using the remaining rubber on each of your worn out sets). Would you run?

Or, you got to the track and found that your box of new "super race pads" somehow had only a set of Pep Boys brake pads inside (no race pads). Would you run?

I'm not necessarly defending them. It just seems that everyone is so upset about "the show" (which I fully understand) that they are forgetting that this is/was a safety issue. I understand not wanting to find a wall at 200+ mph. If that were a possiblilty, or better yet, a probability (a very good probability?), I think I'd "stay home" (not that there isn't always a risk, but when it's suddenly greater than usual).

As for the complaints about Ferrari. They spend millions a year to win. If they came prepared and the others didn't, why not take advantage of it? That's a smart business decision (for them, maybe not for F1 as a whole). They are in business. I agree that the lack of a "show" may have seriously damaged F1, or what there was of F1 (as a fan base) in this country. The "rest" of the country, I can understand. But a bunch of racers who wanted drivers to race under dangerous conditions....I'm puzzled.

Would you have really done anything different? (If you can answer "yes" that you would run to every question above, then you are free to keep complaining (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) ).

Blame Michelin. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/nutkick.gif)

[devil's advocate mode off] (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

:leaving:

[robz71lm7]

All professional sports suck imo. I'd much rather watch coverage of an NASA event.

[Soma07]

Below are the words of Paul Stoddart of Minardi. IMO its the best narrative I read so far on exactly what happened.

What follows is a press release from the MinardiF1 team giving the views of Paul Stoddart.

"Much has been said about the farce that occurred on Sunday, June 19, in Indianapolis, and I feel that in the interests of transparency, it would be worthwhile for someone who was actually present, and participated in the discussions leading up to the start of the Grand Prix, to provide a truthful account of what took place, both for the 100,000-plus fans who were present, and for the hundreds of millions of people watching on television around the world.

While this is a genuine attempt to provide a factual timeline of the relevant events that took place, should any minor detail or sequence be disputed, it will not, in my opinion, affect in any way this account of events that led up to arguably the most damaging spectacle in the recent history of Formula One.

Background

For those who have not followed the recent political developments in Formula One, it is fair to say that, for over a year now, the majority of teams have felt at odds with the actions of the FIA and its President, Max Mosley, concerning the regulations, and the way in which those regulations have been introduced, or are proposed to be introduced. Not a weekend has gone by where some, or all, of the teams are not discussing or disputing these regulations. This is so much the case that it is common knowledge the manufacturers have proposed their own series commencing January 1, 2008, and this is supported by at least two of the independent teams. The general perception is that, in many instances, these issues have become personal, and it is my opinion that was a serious contributory factor to the failure to find a solution that would have allowed all 20 cars to compete in Sunday’s United States Grand Prix.



The Facts

Friday, June 17
I noticed that Ricardo Zonta’s Toyota had stopped, but in all honesty, did not pay any attention to the reasons why; however, I actually witnessed Ralf Schumacher’s accident, both on the monitors, and more significantly, I could see what took place from my position on the pit wall. This necessitated a red flag, and in the numerous replays on the monitors, it looked very much like the cause of the accident was a punctured rear tyre.

Throughout the afternoon, numerous people in the paddock suggested it was a tyre failure and commented that it was similar to the serious accident which befell Ralf Schumacher during the 2004 US Grand Prix. Later that evening was the first time I was aware of a potential problem with the Michelin tyres at this event. In all honesty, I didn’t pay a great deal of attention, as our team is on Bridgestone tyres.

Saturday, June 18
On arriving at the circuit, the word throughout the paddock was that there was a potential problem with the rear tyres supplied to all Michelin teams for this event, and it became evident as the first and second sessions were run that most of the affected teams were being very conservative with the amount of on-track running they were doing. In addition, Toyota announced that it had substituted Ricardo Zonta for Ralf Schumacher, who would take no further part in the event. Speculation was rife in the paddock that some Michelin teams might not take part in qualifying. Also, during the practice session, I was informed there would be a Team Principals’ meeting with Bernie Ecclestone at 1430 hrs after qualifying, which I incorrectly assumed would centre around the Michelin issue.

Qualifying took place, and indeed, all 20 cars qualified for Sunday’s Grand Prix.

At approximately 1420 hrs, I attended Bernie’s office, and with representatives present from all other teams, including Ferrari, the meeting commenced. Surprisingly, the main topic of conversation was the number of events and calendar for 2006, followed by a suggestion that a meeting be convened at the next Grand Prix to discuss two issues only – firstly, a proposal for a single-tyre supplier in Formula One, and secondly, whether or not it would be desirable to qualify with or without a race fuel load in 2006. Only at the very end of the meeting did the Michelin tyre issue arise, and in fairness, it was not discussed in any great detail. I personally found this strange, but as I have stated, it did not affect Minardi directly, and therefore I had no reason to pursue the matter.

Throughout Saturday evening, there was considerable speculation in the paddock that the tyre issue was much more serious than at first thought, and people were talking about a fresh shipment of tyres being flown overnight from France, and what penalty the Michelin teams would take should those tyres be used. By the time I left the paddock, people were taking bets on Minardi and Jordan scoring points!

Later that evening, I checked with our Sporting Director on what developments had occurred, and was told that the issue was indeed very serious, and the possibility existed that the Michelin teams would not take part in the race.

Sunday, June 19
I arrived at the circuit at 0815 hrs, only to find the paddock was buzzing with stories suggesting the Michelin teams would be unable to take part in the Grand Prix. I was then handed a copy of correspondence between Michelin, the FIA, and the Michelin teams that revealed the true extent of the problem. By now, journalists were asking if Minardi would agree to a variation of the regulations to allow the Michelin teams to compete, and what penalties I felt would be appropriate.

A planned Minardi press briefing took place at 0930 hrs, and as it was ending, I was summoned to an urgent meeting, along with Jordan, with Bernie Ecclestone, the two most senior Michelin representatives present at the circuit, IMS President Tony George, Team Principals, and technical representatives from the Michelin teams. At this meeting, Michelin, to its credit, admitted that the tyres available were unable to complete a race distance around the Indianapolis circuit without a change to the track configuration, so as to reduce the speed coming out of the last turn onto the banking. Much background information was provided as to the enormous efforts that Michelin, with support from its teams, had undertaken in the preceding 48 hours to try and resolve the problem, but it was clear that all those efforts had failed to produce a suitable solution that wouldn’t involve support from the non-Michelin teams, and ultimately, the FIA.

What was requested of the Bridgestone teams was to allow a chicane to be constructed at Turn 13, which would then allow Michelin to advise their teams that, in their opinion, the tyres would be able to complete the race distance. It was made very clear that this was the only viable option available, as previous suggestions from the FIA, such as speed-limiting the Michelin cars through Turn 13, could, and probably would, give rise to a monumental accident. This idea, as well as one concerning the possibility of pit stops every 10 laps, were dismissed, and discussion returned to the only sensible solution – a chicane. During this discussion, a technical representative with specific knowledge of the Indianapolis circuit, together with representatives from IMS, were tasked with preparing the design of a chicane, and Bernie Ecclestone agreed to speak with the one Team Principal not present, Mr Todt, and to inform the FIA President, Max Mosley, who was not present at Indianapolis, of the planned solution to allow the successful running of the US Grand Prix. With only a few hours now remaining to the start of the race, we agreed to reconvene as soon as Bernie had responses from Messrs Todt and Mosley.

At approximately 1055 hrs, Bernie informed us that not only would Mr Todt not agree, stating that it was not a Ferrari problem, but an FIA and a Michelin problem, but also Mr Mosley had stated that if any attempts were made to alter the circuit, he would cancel the Grand Prix forthwith. These words had a familiar tone to me, as they were similar to those I had heard around midnight on the Friday preceding the 2005 Australian Grand Prix, when I was told by all the senior FIA representatives present that the Australian Grand Prix would be cancelled forthwith if I did not withdraw pending legal action between Minardi and the FIA. Once again, Mr Mosley was not present at that Grand Prix! It is fair to say at this point that the vast majority of people present in the room both felt and stated that Mr Mosley had completely overstepped the mark, had no idea whatsoever of the gravity of the situation, and furthermore, cared even less about the US Grand Prix, its organisers, the fans, and indeed, the hundreds of millions of television viewers around the world who were going to be affected by his intransigence.

By this time, the nine teams had discussed running a non- championship race, or a race in which the Michelin teams could not score points, and even a race whereby only the Michelin teams used the new chicane, and indeed, every other possible option that would allow 20 cars to participate and put on a show, thereby not causing the enormous damage to Formula One that all those present knew would otherwise occur.

By now, most present felt the only option was to install the chicane and race, if necessary, without Ferrari, but with 18 cars, in what would undoubtedly be a non-championship race. We discussed with Bernie the effects of the FIA withdrawing its staff, and agreed among ourselves a Race Director, a Safety Car driver, and other essential positions, and all agreed that, under the circumstances, what was of paramount importance was that the race must go ahead. All further agreed that since we would most likely be denied FIA facilities, such as scales and post-race scrutineering, every competitor would instruct his team and drivers to conduct themselves in the spirit of providing an entertaining race for the good of Formula One.

At this point, we called for all 20 drivers, and indeed, all 20 arrived, at which point we informed them of our plan. While I cannot testify that each and every driver agreed with what we were proposing, what I can say with certainty is that no driver disagreed, and indeed, members of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association discussed overseeing the construction of a suitable chicane. Jean Todt was the only significant team individual not present, and the Ferrari drivers stated this decision was up to Mr Todt.

I feel it is important to stress that, at this stage, and mindful of the total impossibility – call it force majeure if you wish – of 14 cars being able to compete in the race, the nine teams represented agreed they would not take part in the race unless a solution was found in the interests of Formula One as a global sport, as it was clear to all present that the sport, and not the politics, had to prevail if we were to avoid an impending disaster.

After a short break, we reconvened without the drivers. When I arrived in Bernie’s office, Flavio Briatore was on the telephone to Mr Mosley, and it was quite clear from the body language of the others gathered in the room that Mr Mosley was having none of our suggestions. At the conclusion of the telephone call, it was obvious that many of those in the room had lost all faith in Mr Mosley and his ability to perform his function as President of the FIA in respect of Formula One matters.

I’m sure this sentence will be treated with contempt by Mr Mosley, but what must be realised is that there are various reasons that other Team Principals, and the most senior people in Formula One, will not say publicly what they openly feel privately about Mr Mosley, his politics and his governance of the sport. There is a great temptation to go into those reasons in detail, but that is for another day. Suffice to say, those gathered at Indianapolis felt Mr Mosley, and to a lesser degree, the lack of co-operation from Mr Todt, were about to be responsible for the greatest FIAsco in Formula One’s recent history.

Discussions then took place concerning the other telephone calls with Mr Mosley from, among others, Bernie Ecclestone, Ron Dennis and Tony George, and it was clearly revealed to what extent Mr Mosley was prepared to go in order to achieve his aims. To my total disgust, it was stated that Mosley had informed Mr Martin, the FIA’s most senior representative in the USA, that if any kind of non- championship race was run, or any alteration made to the circuit, the US Grand Prix, and indeed, all FIA-regulated motorsport in the US, would be under threat – again, exactly the same tactic that was used in threatening the Australian Grand Prix and Australian motorsport in March of this year.

By now, it was evident Mosley had bullied the US Grand Prix promoter into submission, Bernie Ecclestone was powerless to intervene, and all efforts of the Team Principals, with the exception of Jean Todt, had failed to save the 2005 US Grand Prix.

At this point, the pit lane had opened and a hasty discussion took place concerning whether or not the Michelin teams would go to the grid. A radio had been delivered to me by team personnel at this stage, and I was able to know which cars were going to the grid. It is interesting to note that the Jordan Team Principal was not present at this time, and indeed, it was the Jordans that first proceeded to the grid, followed by the Ferraris. After discussion with Bernie Ecclestone, it was agreed the Michelin teams would go to the grid, but were absolutely prevented from participating in the race because of the tyre situation.



Three teams line up for the US Grand Prix

We then proceeded to the grid, at which point I asked Jordan’s Colin Kolles if he intended to stand by the other teams or participate in the race. In no uncertain terms, I was told Jordan would be racing. I was also approached by a Bridgestone representative, who informed me that Bridgestone wished us to race. This left me with one of the most difficult decisions I have had to take during my time in F1, as I did not want to race, but given my current relationship with Mr Mosley, felt certain heavy sanctions would follow if I did not. I made it clear to Bernie Ecclestone, and several Team Principals, that if the Jordans either went off or retired, I would withdraw the Minardi cars from the race.

It is important for people to realise that Minardi, the seven Michelin teams, Bernie Ecclestone, and the promoters did not agree with Mr Mosley’s tactics. For the reasons previously outlined, it may take some considerable time, if ever, for this to be admitted, but there is no question in my mind that the farce that occurred on Sunday, June 19, 2005 at Indianapolis was the responsibility of the FIA President, Max Mosley, and compounded by the lack of support from Jean Todt.

For the avoidance of doubt, in my opinion, Michelin was responsible enough to admit that the problem was of their creation. When one considers that even the replacement, Barcelona-specification tyres that were shipped to IMS, when tested, apparently exhibited the same characteristics as those that originally failed, this clearly is a case of force majeure, as I do not for a moment believe that Michelin intentionally brought tyres to the event that were unsuitable for competition.

Far more importantly, however, Mosley refused to accept any of the solutions offered, and that refusal was, I believe, politically motivated. Therefore, I feel he failed in his duty, and that is why I have called for his resignation.

Much discussion and debate will undoubtedly take place over the coming weeks and months, but I believe this is a truthful and honest account of the facts, and not the fiction, surrounding the responsibility for this FIAsco. People can now make up their own minds!"

Yes, Michelin screwed up but who doesn't every now and then? They did everything in their power to get all 20 cars on the grid and everyone was cooperating with the exception of Ferrari and Max Mosley of the FIA.

[trackbird]

I wonder what that letter will cost him (fines, etc)? It's nice that someone thoroughly documented the situation.

[sgarnett]

[devil's advocate mode on]

Ok....It sucks, I fully agree. But, what if?

What if you got to an event and were told that you could only run the track (road course) in 1st gear? Would you run?

How about them telling you to pit every other lap? Would you run?

Maybe on every lap, you (or all F-bodies on course) had to drive through the parking lot and then back on track (in a not F body only race). Would you run?

Or, you arrive at the track and find that every set of tires in the trailer have 1/32nd inch of tread left before hitting the cords (knowing that you could get through the race with 12 tire changes, thus using the remaining rubber on each of your worn out sets). Would you run?

Or, you got to the track and found that your box of new "super race pads" somehow had only a set of Pep Boys brake pads inside (no race pads). Would you run?
...
Would you have really done anything different? (If you can answer "yes" that you would run to every question above, then you are free to keep complaining  (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) ).

The answer is yes, with the possible exception of the brake pads (though taking care of the equipment to make it last was a normal part of racing until recently).

In the eloquent words of a Doonesbury character many years ago, "damn it, a gig's a gig".

The exception is of course pretending the problem doesn't exist, and letting drivers hit the wall - that clearly isn't an option.

Heck, I'd pit every other lap if I had to. That parking lot idea sounds like fun!

I have to admit, Stoddart's letter rings true. It's either credible or at least well-written.

It's interesting that apparently most of the teams, including at least one Bridgestone team, favored the chicane. Of course, this was written after-the-fact.

[trackbird]

Though, the brake pad "problem" is the closest to the one that they actually had. They got to the race, only to find that they had "all season radials that weren't load rated" (for the loads they'd see). They assumed they had the right "brake pads" and in fact didn't.

Anyway. I was just trying to propose another angle. I think the whole thing was a mess and I'd expect more from the highest level of motorsports competition.

[mitchntx]

Designing and building a chicane hours before the race was to begin was a dangerous thing to do. That just didn't make any sense to me. We're not talking about a Sunday regional AX event here. Significantly changing a race course just prior to the race, without practice is also a prescription for disaster. The window of oppurtunity to recover from a mistake, at this level, is a very narrow window indeed. And if you miss that window, you will go by the way of Senna et.al.

On the flip side, you cannot send a driver out in/on equipment that has a liklihood to fail. That too is a prescription for disaster.

It appears the USGP was doomed, either way.

What I find missing from that letter are the "problems" the tyres were having. Also missing was the reasoning behind Mr. Mosely and Mr. Toldt's stand. I find it hard to believe that those details were not explained to the principals, by someone from FIA on sunday morning during all these phone conversations. I also find it hard to believe there wasn't a speaker phone on the IMS grounds somewhere.

The description of Mr. Briatore and his "body language" was descriptive enough, but the ensueing conversation is very lacking in detail in the letter.

While the letter is informative, it lacks some credibility because of those omissions. I find it just as political and sel-serving as he claims everyone else is.

JMHO

[CMC#5]

Wow...Paul has some balls publishing things like that. I'm glad he does though.

As to wether or not run when you know you're hopelessly uncompetitive...well, Minardi does that week in and week out, and they keep coming back for more. They believe they'll eventually get there, or they believe its worth it just for being where they are. I agree.

I don't think the Michelin teams are entirely blameless since I think they could've run...but maybe in the long run what they did is the necessary catalyst for the necessary wholesale change everyone knows is necessary.