US GP - A positive slant
Discussion
As the other thread is taking a rather negative tone - here's one that takes the opposite stance - worthy I think of a new thread but willing to bend to the desires of the PH masters!
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As an alternative point of view, a few positives that could come from from the US GP.
1. It was one race out of 19 and the obscure result has opened up the championship at precisely the right time. A few races ago, it was looking like a one-horse race. Not any more! It’s added spice to what was already an intriguing championship.
2. It’s got people talking about F1 – maybe for the wrong reasons but at least it’s getting coverage.
3. It showed the limit of the control that Bernie Ecclestone has on the sport. He’s always been perceived as the main mover and shaker when all he owns is the commercial rights. The FIA still retain ultimate power and that was demonstrated on Sunday.
And before anyone starts posting quotes about the poor spectators, I refer you to point 4:
4. F1 has for too long taken an arrogant stance towards its biggest market sector – the fans. What happened on Sunday is the biggest kick up the arse the sport has ever had. If it’s got it’s head screwed on (and I think it has), then it will rectify the situation (be it through refunds, free tickets next year or best still – a non championship race there at the end of the season), then re-group and re-focus on what it’s all about.
It’s a shame about what happened but it’s happened. In my book, the only guilty party is Michelin. They cocked up.
Companies should not be judged on the lack of mistakes they make (for we are all but human) but the speed and efficiency they deploy in rectifying those mistakes.
We wait with baited breath!
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As an alternative point of view, a few positives that could come from from the US GP.
1. It was one race out of 19 and the obscure result has opened up the championship at precisely the right time. A few races ago, it was looking like a one-horse race. Not any more! It’s added spice to what was already an intriguing championship.
2. It’s got people talking about F1 – maybe for the wrong reasons but at least it’s getting coverage.
3. It showed the limit of the control that Bernie Ecclestone has on the sport. He’s always been perceived as the main mover and shaker when all he owns is the commercial rights. The FIA still retain ultimate power and that was demonstrated on Sunday.
And before anyone starts posting quotes about the poor spectators, I refer you to point 4:
4. F1 has for too long taken an arrogant stance towards its biggest market sector – the fans. What happened on Sunday is the biggest kick up the arse the sport has ever had. If it’s got it’s head screwed on (and I think it has), then it will rectify the situation (be it through refunds, free tickets next year or best still – a non championship race there at the end of the season), then re-group and re-focus on what it’s all about.
It’s a shame about what happened but it’s happened. In my book, the only guilty party is Michelin. They cocked up.
Companies should not be judged on the lack of mistakes they make (for we are all but human) but the speed and efficiency they deploy in rectifying those mistakes.
We wait with baited breath!
i know it made for a dull race but i have to say that i think they made the right decision.
michelin have been the dominant tyre this season and bridgestone have struggled. however now we are at a circuit at which michelin cant compete and they wanted the race to be canceled. i understand that the tyre were blowing up but it simply means the guys on michelins can are limited by the tyres and cant drive as fast. If they detuned there engines as they can and then raced they wouldnt have gone as fast but they would have finished they would have put on the show that apparently they all wanted and someof them would have got points.
This is a sport and just because one set of equpment isnt good enough for a track is an unacceptable reason to cancel the GP. Bridgestone have had tyre explode. it happened to the feraris but they dont try to cancel a race. If the race was canceled it would have been totaly unfair on the bridgestone runners.
A difficult decision since any decision would be controversial but i think correct.
michelin have been the dominant tyre this season and bridgestone have struggled. however now we are at a circuit at which michelin cant compete and they wanted the race to be canceled. i understand that the tyre were blowing up but it simply means the guys on michelins can are limited by the tyres and cant drive as fast. If they detuned there engines as they can and then raced they wouldnt have gone as fast but they would have finished they would have put on the show that apparently they all wanted and someof them would have got points.
This is a sport and just because one set of equpment isnt good enough for a track is an unacceptable reason to cancel the GP. Bridgestone have had tyre explode. it happened to the feraris but they dont try to cancel a race. If the race was canceled it would have been totaly unfair on the bridgestone runners.
A difficult decision since any decision would be controversial but i think correct.
Yep - and they will likely cop for the majority of the penalties due to a suspended decision from the last debarcle.
Funny until Honda get pissed off with it all I'd say - then maybe a bit more damaging.
The positive slant (trying to stay a little on topic) is that there is an opportunity to go from here and learn from the mistakes.
However, it would appear that the route taken has been to spend a couple of weeks throwing a bit more mud around (and here it is only the FIA doing it, every one else including Ferarri are being very humble).
Funny until Honda get pissed off with it all I'd say - then maybe a bit more damaging.
The positive slant (trying to stay a little on topic) is that there is an opportunity to go from here and learn from the mistakes.
However, it would appear that the route taken has been to spend a couple of weeks throwing a bit more mud around (and here it is only the FIA doing it, every one else including Ferarri are being very humble).
the organisers could surely have realised the extent of this crisis and put a chicane in to reduce the speeds on that corner, then they could at least have had a race and the possibility that F1 could continue in the US. There is no chance of that now.
Unfortunately, that was NEVER a possibility, as the
cars are impounded after qualifying, and the rules
prohibit changes to the course without adequate practice time- Michelin knew this when they proposed it. Secondly, not all the Michelin teams showed signs
of the tire problem, so suspension settings may have played a role in the problem. Michelin should have called for an inspection after a couple of laps by their teams, and just soldiered on as best they could,
like Bridgestone and Ferrari did earlier in the season.
Unfortunately, that was NEVER a possibility, as the
cars are impounded after qualifying, and the rules
prohibit changes to the course without adequate practice time- Michelin knew this when they proposed it. Secondly, not all the Michelin teams showed signs
of the tire problem, so suspension settings may have played a role in the problem. Michelin should have called for an inspection after a couple of laps by their teams, and just soldiered on as best they could,
like Bridgestone and Ferrari did earlier in the season.
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