[JRL]

6 Bridgestone cars start race.
Michelin boycotts race as their tires were considered to be too dangerous and the almighty FIA refused to install a chicane on turn 13,
more to follow.........
I would bet that there is going to be some serious money doled out here

 

[Texas850Turbo]

Re: Sad day for F1 (JRL)

And the fans at the race...if I had traveled all the way to Indianapolis and that happened..
I can almost see why people were throwing stuff on the track.
Argh!

 

[vintagemilano]

Re: Sad day for F1 (JRL)

Crazy story that's for sure. Anyone know of a good article somewhere that tell's why Michelin didn't want their tires used on this course? All I've seen so far is michelin said it would be unsafe but no why it was going to be unsafe.

 

[JRL]

Re: Sad day for F1 (vintagemilano)

Yes, they did during the race.
It was a complicated/convoluted explnation how these new tires have a weak spot. The area where the tread meets the sidewall is thin and not meant for a banked track at such speed lap after lap.
Now, Michelin has been racing here (at Indy) for 5 years now and knew about this.
They could have made a different tire or brought their "harder" compound tire (which probably is a bit slower) but chose not to.

I agree the cars should not have raced but there should have been a compromise with the FIA or, they should have put in the chicane and it not be a point race.
(The track then would not have been "approved" by the commitee)
They (the teams) were here, over 100,000 PAYING fans were too (including Yannis), NOTHING good came out of this. All you had were the 100,000+ really pissed off race fans that spent a lot of money to be there http://********************/smile/emthdown.gif http://********************/smile/emthdown.gif
JRL

 

[M-R]

Re: Sad day for F1 (vintagemilano)

I am looking for that too, nothing found yet other than the correspondence between Michelin and Charlie Whiting: http://www.fia.com/mediacentre....html

and

http://www.fia.com/mediacentre....html

 

[M-R]

Re: Sad day for F1 (M-R)

Selected Driver Quotes: http://www.formula1.com/race/news/3204/740.html

Post-race Press Conference: http://www.formula1.com/race/news/3206/740.html

 

[JRL]

Re: Sad day for F1 (M-R)

We all heard that, really says nothing

 

[mike_c70]

Re: Sad day for F1 (JRL)

We can kiss F1 goodbye on the US after this debacle.

 

[JRL]

Re: Sad day for F1 (mike_c70)

Quote, originally posted by mike_c70 »

We can kiss F1 goodbye on the US after this debacle.

Oh, they'll be back, they have a long term contract.
Whether anyone goes is another thing

 

[mike_c70]

Re: Sad day for F1 (JRL)

That's what I meant. Getting interest was hard enough (compared to a Nascar event for example). After this, they'll be lucky if half of them come back. I'm pretty sure there's gonna be some sort of lawsuit to get money back for the fans (I remember back in the day when PPVers wanted their $50 back after Tyson knocked a guy out in 18 seconds).
On top of that, TV coverage sucks major a$$. The commentators are mostly talking out of their a$$. Ever since I moved to the US in 99, I haven't seen one F1 race. Before that, I have never missed one.

 

[GrecianVolvo]

How do you spell BULL$HIT? "U.S. Grand Prix 2005"

Quote, originally posted by JRL »

We all heard that, really says nothing

OK,I got back a couple of hours ago and just spoke to some of my friends and sister in Greece. The word out of there (and I also just read Monday morning's papers from there) claim that FIA did not accept the proposed changes (either let the Michelin-shod teams change tires or install a chicane on turns 12/13) to which they claimed Ferrari objected. Ferrari, on the other hand, claim that they were not even asked but if it came to "they would have protested"...I hate them even more now.

I was only a few feet away from Ross Brawn at the airport; he was checking in his stuff (I am surprised that a man of "his stature" did not have these things taken care of and waited in line like everyone else) and once I recognized who he was I wanted to go ask him what happened (I did not know at that time that Ferrari had objected otherwise I would have definitely voiced my disappointment to him) but I decided that it was not his fault...I wish I knew...

You don;t know how mad and disappointed I am. I could not believe my eyes (as, I am sure, most of the fans there, too)...I have never been in such a fiasco, ever! This is my 5th F1 race and I am seriously thinking of not attending ever again.

I spent good money getting some of the best seats, short of a Paddock Pass, plus airfare, etc.

But that was nothing compared to some people I met; there was one young couple from Egypt, seated one row behind me....They spend $150 each for the event tickets, $900 for 3 days in a hotel plus $1500 each for airfare...insane! I met two guys from Russia (they seemed suspicious

) and they said that they had also bought Paddock passes at $1,500 each (!) plus airfare plus hotel....

Unbelievable...well, I hope that the litigious habits of Americans come to full effect now...That is WHEN one needs to kick some a$$ through the legal system. If they do not issue refunds (fat chance), I hope there is a class action suit against FIA, I really do.

'Nough...I am so f..ing pissed...

Yannis

 

[GrecianVolvo]

Re: Sad day for F1 (JRL)

Quote, originally posted by JRL »

Oh, they'll be back, they have a long term contract. Whether anyone goes is another thing

No they do not...the contract between FIA and Indy Motors Speedway expires after next year's race. Kiss Indy good bye...It was going away anyway so this fiasco, today, was the nail on the coffin.

If the organizers have an ounce of brain left, they should first issue refunds and also make next year's U.S. Grand Prix a late summer race. Because, at the same time next year, things (for the title) will not have heated up and, after what happened, the only thing that MAY bring fans back is an excited 2nd half of the season.

Yannis

 

[cm]

Re: Sad day for F1 (Texas850Turbo)

Quote, originally posted by Texas850Turbo »

And the fans at the race...if I had traveled all the way to Indianapolis and that happened.. I can almost see why people were throwing stuff on the track. Argh!

People should not of been throwing things onto the track regardless of how mad/upset they were, it was very dangerous and reckless. Marshalls and drivers risking lives over a can of beer is unacceptable.

I heard Ferrari did not object, nor did they agree they avoided the issue altogether, anyway blaming Ferrari is not the answer the problem lies with the FIA and Michelin.

It was a very sad day for F1 and hopefully it will never happen again.

 

[JRL]

Re: Sad day for F1 (GrecianVolvo)

Quote, originally posted by GrecianVolvo »

No they do not...the contract between FIA and Indy Motors Speedway expires after next year's race. Kiss Indy good bye...It was going away anyway so this fiasco, today, was the nail on the coffin. Yannis

Yes, you're right.
I modify my comment after reading late some comments by Chitwood, (IMS GM), stating that they will take a long look to see if they will ask them to return next year after all

 

[POWERSTROKE]

Re: Sad day for F1 (cm)

I agree 100%. Ferrari, Minardi, and Jordan did exactly what they went to INDY to do.... RACE... End of Comment. If Michelin screwed up and under-engineered their Tire Offering for the 7 teams they support it's not the FIA, Indy Speedway, Bridgestone, or Ferrari's fault. The people who were escorted from the stands for throwing cans/bottles should have been charged with "Reckless Endangerment" or something and spent the night in jail. Totally Unacceptable behavior at ANY racing event!
I've been to all six US GP's..... I spent almost $300 for two seats & qualifying tickets, 25% more than last year.... Perfect weather, perfect seats.... I was anticipating a GREAT race with five different teams in the first five positions....... and then 70% of the field parks after the parade lap!
Only way the Michelin cars should have been allowed to change tires was if Bridgestone was too. "Fair & Equitable" All cars race on the same track in the same conditions..... Way it's ALWAYS been. Michelin just happened to bring a small stick to a "GUN FIGHT" this weekend.
I'll probably go back next year. It's a great weekend for Me and relatively inexpensive. $100 for fuel/gas, $250 for misc. food & expenses, $275 for tickets. Son has friends in Indy We stay with. Attendence has dropped from 225,000 in '00 to an estimated 100,000 this year. This Sunday's performance will probably increase the trend of reduced attendence even more. Too bad since F1 is "THE RACE Series" in the world but the US seems too infatuated with this Made-for-TV Nascar Motorized Entertainment. "Junkyard Wars" on TLC has more entertainment value than NASCAR IMHO.

 

[prodriver]

Re: Sad day for F1 (JRL)

OK everybody...ENOUGH of blaming the FIA for this Indy problem...

First of all Michelin messed up...they had the choice of bringing a "back-up" set of tires (Charlie Whiting explained that they're allowed to bring 2 different types to the track) that were not as high-performance, just as Bridgestone did, and they chose not to.

Second, hearing the teams respond to Peter Windsor's question "Why not just tell the drivers to slow down for that corner," was the most absurd thing I've ever heard in my life. Sam Michael got on the TV and said that drivers' instincts take over and that even if they told them to slow down, that they wouldn't...what, is their right foot just going to involuntarily push the throttle down??? Give me a break...if I was told to slow down in the corner, I certainly would, and still have a chance of finishing in the points, albeit lower down.

Third, why in the world would you hate Ferrari for this??? They've been struggling all year with their Bridgestones, and not once have you heard them go to the FIA and say "Can we have a chicane or track change made so that our tires will work at this track?" Ferrari and all of Bridgestone were prepared, just like Michelin and all of its teams should have been.

Fourth, you cannot seriously expect the FIA to allow a track change just to give advantage to Michelin...Michelin screwed up and were unprepared...this is the highest level of racing in the world, and adding a chicane to patch up Michelin's mistake is absolutely unacceptable.

Fifth...I am ashamed of the American fans for throwing debris on the track during the race. What did that accomplish??? Did throwing objects at the cars on track really do anything??? It certainly wasn't the drivers on track who were to blame. It was an utterly disgraceful sight, and the American fans did nothing but degrade themselves.

If anyone is to blame in this entire situation, the only people are Michelin and the team managers. They ruined the entire event, NOT the FIA. The FIA rightly stood their ground...rules are rules, and everyone has to follow them...Ferrari, Jordan, Minardi, and Bridgestone all seemed to be plenty capable of handling these rules, and so they were justly rewarded. I feel bad for the American fans that attended this event, but get angry at the right people, not the innocent.

Oh, and the title... "Sad day for F1"...should be more like "Unprepared Michelin and Teams Ruin USGP"

If anyone wants a perfect explanation of events, go to http://www.formula1.com/race/news/3207/740.html to read Charlie Whiting's letter...it explains it all.

Jameson

 

[The Volvonator]

Re: Sad day for F1 (GrecianVolvo)

Quote, originally posted by GrecianVolvo »

No they do not...the contract between FIA and Indy Motors Speedway expires after next year's race. Kiss Indy good bye...It was going away anyway so this fiasco, today, was the nail on the coffin.

They should put the USGP back at The Glen, where it belongs!. http://********************/smile/emthup.gif

Did Speedvision even broadcast the race? I have the TiVo set up to record all the F1 races (Season Pass) and was all set to sit down and watch the race after my Father's Day dinner last night, and got.....bupkus.

I just hope Schumi doesn't end up winning Driver's Championship number eight because of this....

 

[lax01]

Re: Sad day for F1 (The Volvonator)

First time to see F1 live and I'm utterly disappointed (thank god I saw the Qualifying and Pratice rounds)...My mouth dropped when I witnessed the cars drive back into the pits after one warm-up lap around the track...I've got pics and videos also...just to reply to a few of the comments earlier

this is the 5 of 6th year for the USGP at Indy contract and the CEO of Indy racetrack is sweating (as can be seen through the apology on http://www.brickyard.com)

there was word of refunds but I have not seen anything substiatianted. We bought some $85 tickets the day of for great seats on turn 13 (section E, last row) and had nobody in the 10 rows in front of us....truly low turn-out...

The stuff being thrown on the track was primarily coming from where the Brazilians were sitting...Jameson, I don't think its fair to blame Americans for this since the population at the racetrack was heavily mixed...especially in the grandstands....the the infield, it was mostly Americans. I will say, I did BOO and raise my middle finger in disappointment for Michellin and FIA...also, many of the people in Indianapolis didn't even know what race it was...many just DON'T CARE about F1

I have some great pics of the race cars but they are still on my camera and the 11 hour drive home didn't allow me much time to process them...I'll have them up sometime this week...

LASTLY, the F1 cars are amazing in person...absolutely stunning marvels of modern automotive technology. The sound is unlike anything I have ever heard or seen before. They are blazing fast (when on the right tires

) and I don't regret going...Also the atmosphere at F1 races is unreal. That was part of the total experience and I'm glad I got to see it with my own eyes. I really would have liked to see something other than a 74 lap Ferrari parade but oh well...I'll be attending Canada next year....don't think I'll waste the time going to Indy ever again

Here's a few pics from Qualifying on Saturday

 

[geo1]

Re: Sad day for F1 (lax01)

Did you guys have any idea that this was going on before the race started? What was the explanation from the track after the cars pulled into the pits?

 

[prodriver]

Re: Sad day for F1 (geo1)

The camera shot I saw of a person throwing stuff on track was definitely of American nationality...too bad...

And as for being upset at the FIA still...how can you??? They did their job...the only people who didn't were Michelin and their teams. Are you mad at the FIA because they didn't put a chicane in or compromise with Michelin? Sure, you say now that they should have done that for the Michelin runners, but what if Ferrari had asked for something like that??? Everyone would have FLIPPED! The FIA did their job...Michelin didn't...it's as plain and simple as that.

Jameson