Thursday 30th June 2005

Row over US GP rumbles on

Aftermath turns nasty as Michelin and Mosley accuse

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Williams in the dock with six other teams

The row about Michelin's failure to bring suitable tyres to the US Grand Prix, which resulted in a farcical six-car procession as the Michelin-shod runners were unable to race, rumbles on. Seven teams have appealed against being found guilty of rules infringements while FIA boss Max Mosley has lashed out at tyremaker Michelin, which is at the centre of the maelstrom.

Among the consequences of the failure to race are that the seven teams using Michelin tyres -- championship leader Renault, McLaren, Williams, Toyota, Red Bull, Sauber and BAR -- appeared before the FIA's world motor sport council in Paris yesterday and were found guilty of not being in possession of suitable tyres for the event, but with strong mitigating circumstances. They could yet face heavy sanctions, although they were cleared of three other charges:

• Refusing to race subject to a speed limit
• Combining to make a demonstration damaging to the image of the sport by stopping after the parade lap
• Not informing the race stewards of their plans to withdraw.

The teams have appealed against that decision, saying that it was Michelin's responsibility to supply the right tyres. The FIA will not decide on sanctions until a further special meeting on 14 September.

Meanwhile the FIA hit back at Michelin yesterday while welcoming the French tyre company's offer to refund US Grand Prix fans for the Indianapolis fiasco, according to Reuters.

FIA boss Max Mosley said in a letter to Michelin company chairman Edouard Michelin that his version of events and Michelin's differed. "We cannot agree with your claim that Michelin did the maximum to preserve a true and safe race," he said.

Mosley said that Michelin had failed to bring a safe back-up tyre to the US GP, and the company then refused to accept any solution other than a temporary chicane to slow the cars through the last banked corner -- the corner that proved so problematic for Michelin's rubber in the first place. The FIA reiterated that was never an option.

Mosley described an assertion by the company that the regulations don't expect a manufacturer to supply tyres that won't fail in very extreme conditions as "extraordinary". "What is F1 if not motoring in very extreme conditions?" he asked rhetorically.

Mosley's comments follow Michelin's announcement that it would refund the 120,000 attendees for their tickets -- which will cost it about $16 million, according to the calculations of some commentators.

It also followed a robust letter to him from Edouard Michelin. Reuters got hold of a copy of that letter, which was also sent to the seven affected teams. Among other things, Michelin wrote: "I feel it necessary to let you know how discontented I was of both the nature of your contentions -- which are based on mere allegations -- and the suspicious and inappropriate tone employed."

He accused Mosley of repeatedly blaming the company in the press, directly or indirectly.

• Reuters story

[errek72]

Oh-la-la. Fur flying. I wonder when these nancies will get back to racing. :p
One wonders what Michelin is doing in F1 anyway, they ought to go back to rallying and stay there.
After all, it all comes down to their tires exploding.

[ubergreg]

I really think Michelin should offer a ticket refund to those US GP attendees who want one. It was their mistake for supplying defective rubber, which had a horrendous and costly knock-on effect. It might even go some way toward restoring some confidence in the sport, and giving people the perception that someone is willing to take responsibility for this sorry episode.

[kevinday]

ubergreg said:

I really think Michelin should offer a ticket refund to those US GP attendees who want one. It was their mistake for supplying defective rubber, which had a horrendous and costly knock-on effect. It might even go some way toward restoring some confidence in the sport, and giving people the perception that someone is willing to take responsibility for this sorry episode.

Keep up with the news Greg, Michelin have offered a refund to all US GP goers, plus a large number of free tickets for next year's race.

Everyone accepts that the initial causation was the Michelin tyres, however, a lot of people (me included) also believe that the FIA (in the shape of Max Mosley) are also to blame by refusing permission to add the chicane which would have allowed all cars to take part.

[ubergreg]

kevinday said:

ubergreg said: I really think Michelin should offer a ticket refund to those US GP attendees who want one... Keep up with the news Greg, Michelin have offered a refund to all US GP goers, plus a large number of free tickets for next year's race.

Oh dear, I really do need to cut down on my hours...

[cdp]

How long before the Concorde Agreement comes to it's end and the FIA is out of Grand Prix racing?

I know they own trademark on Formula One so it would have to be called something else. For now Olympic rattle throwing would be a good name.

[pistnbroke]

Is this the scenario? I understand tyre manufacturers are not allowed to test at Indy? If this is so it seems logical they would use last years stats. to produce their new tyre. But the surface was different this year(at least on part of the circuit) and a diamond cut surface was used. It appears this caused the problem.

Did the FIA or any one tell Michelin that the surface had been changed? Shouldn't someone have told them?

Why were Bridgestone tyres ok? Perhaps it was because Firestone (apparently their sister company) who go to Indy regularly told Bridgestone of the new surface and perhaps even gave them their new stats.

I think a lot more answers need to be sought before blame is attributed.

[lotussuperseven]

It's my understanding Indy provided a testing opportunity but Michelin refused to participate.

['King Deadly]

Of course they have to wait to September to dish out the punishment. By then they'll know how many points to dock the teams so that Ferrari win the championship.

[skoff]

Yes, it is most dissatisfying that the FIA can't put an end to this sorry affair. They seem to want to use it as leverage to keep the teams in check for the rest of the season. I really don't see anything positive about making us all wait until September for fans and teams alike.

You really can't blame the teams for not wanting to race because of what was a serious safety issue; but I can blame the FIA for being so inflexible, I don't see what they had to gain by being so heavy handed. Conspiracy theorists may well suggest that they are in bed with Ferrari, but does anybody think that if Ferrari win it this year that it would be a 'real' result? I just think that the FIA should be acting on behalf of the fans of the sport, after all if we didn't watch there wouldn't be a sport...

Fair dos to Michelin for providing re-funds & free tickets (I don't suppose they could do much else PR wise). Ok the responsibility ultimately rests with them, but the no-compromise attitude from the FIA makes it look like they wanted the Michelin runners to pull out.

The one set of tyres per race rule is a silly rule anyway, it removes what was an exciting part of a GP (how daft do the pit crew look checking the pressures), and it is a serious gray area about changing damaged tyres mid race. If they wanted a limit to tyre changes in the race they should limit the number of pit crew allowed to work on a car at one time so the teams would have to really think hard about tyre strategy...

[plin]

So, the FIA has called the teams to account for their actions. Who calls the FIA to account for theirs ?

[ed.]

I heard ferrari objected to the chicane, which as a racing team competing for points they are entitled to do. Not that manufacturers points are going to mean much if the 'sport' goes down the tube.

[gbw911]

Couldn't disagree with you more. Why is it FIA's problem? The teams are there to compete and their contractor let them down. If Michelin can't supply workable tyres for them then frankly it's tough luck for the teams, but there we go.

Let's consider the same scenario in business. You hire an IT consulting firm to help with your business and the system they recommend doesn't work. The person or body who gets the blame is the consulting company not the IT manufacturer who made the kit. The fact that the kit is unreliable or whatever might be the fault of the manufacturer but the fact is your contract is with the consultant.

Same with the teams and Michelin. Everything I seen from Moseley has said that FIA do not have a direct relationship with the tyre suppliers, but they do liaise on a technical level.

Of course, whether the punishment given to the teams should be docked world championship points is a different matter. Personally, a hefty fine would seem about right. Michelin's offer of refunding the ticket costs and supplying 20k free tickets for next year's race (if it goes ahead??) will doubtless help smooth the way here.

That's a fair offer from the french rubber boys. As for the teams, sit back, put your feet up and take the medicine.

Geoff


>> Edited by gbw911 on Thursday 30th June 15:43

[NightDriver]

ed. said:

I heard ferrari objected to the chicane, which as a racing team competing for points they are entitled to do. Not that manufacturers points are going to mean much if the 'sport' goes down the tube.

Ferrari were not actually asked! However they said if they had been asked then they would have disagreed to it.

[gbw911]

And Ferrari were not involved either, that was a rumour in part spread by ITV whose coverage was technically and politically naive. It's not up to the Bridgestone teams to bin everything they've done because the Michelin teams screwed up. Did you notice the Michelin teams slowing down when Schumacher (M) had tyre problems a couple of races ago? Errr, that will be a no. God give me strength. I'll get off my soapbox in a minute, calm down son.

>> Edited by gbw911 on Thursday 30th June 15:43

[sook]

The last paragraph of Mosley's second letter to Michelin earlier in the week is quite interesting:

"Based on their (independent technical experts) report our technical department will decide whether or not to invite the stewards of the French Grand Prix to exercise their powers under Article 127 of the International Sporting Code in respect to any car fitted with Michelin tyres"

Article 127 being concerned with dangerous construction. So is Max threatening to throw out all the Michelin cars out in France too?

[NightDriver]

sook said:

The last paragraph of Mosley's second letter to Michelin earlier in the week is quite interesting: "Based on their (independent technical experts) report our technical department will decide whether or not to invite the stewards of the French Grand Prix to exercise their powers under Article 127 of the International Sporting Code in respect to any car fitted with Michelin tyres" Article 127 being concerned with dangerous construction. So is Max threatening to throw out all the Michelin cars out in France too?

I think that is just to make sure that they bring a suitable back up tyre. Its obvious that they will, as the teams test at MC and Michelin are going to be quite conservative with their tyres I think.

[gilbertd]

cdp said:

How long before the Concorde Agreement comes to it's end and the FIA is out of Grand Prix racing? I know they own trademark on Formula One so it would have to be called something else. For now Olympic rattle throwing would be a good name.

Err no. You are confusing the FIA with FOM. The FIA are the International governing body, FOM (Formula One Management) is Bernies company that owns the copyright to the name Formula One and does the promotion. When the Concorde agreement runs out in 2008 (or is it the end of 2007 ready for the 2008 season?) it will either be re-negotiated with FOM or an alternative series started up. The alternative series will not be allowed to use the name Formula One, but will still be overseen by the FIA as the, supposedly, independent governing body. Just the same way as every other international motor sport event be it lesser single seat formulae, rallying, Le Mans, etc.

[simonrockman]

Why don't they restage the Indy GP and make it free. Do it this year at the end of the season.

20 races in a year would be great.

Simon

[errek72]

simonrockman said:

Why don't they restage the Indy GP and make it free. Do it this year at the end of the season. 20 races in a year would be great. Simon

Hell, ANY race this year would be great.
They should call it 'F1 procession' or 'high speed traffic jam' or something.

Maybe they should throw in some freak rules, like allowing for each car to use NOS for five minutes a race.
Just a thought

[mindgam3]

gilbertd said:

cdp said: How long before the Concorde Agreement comes to it's end and the FIA is out of Grand Prix racing? I know they own trademark on Formula One so it would have to be called something else. For now Olympic rattle throwing would be a good name. Err no. You are confusing the FIA with FOM. The FIA are the International governing body, FOM (Formula One Management) is Bernies company that owns the copyright to the name Formula One and does the promotion. When the Concorde agreement runs out in 2008 (or is it the end of 2007 ready for the 2008 season?) it will either be re-negotiated with FOM or an alternative series started up. The alternative series will not be allowed to use the name Formula One, but will still be overseen by the FIA as the, supposedly, independent governing body. Just the same way as every other international motor sport event be it lesser single seat formulae, rallying, Le Mans, etc.

I think the idea of a seperate series is to get away from the FIA and Max Mosley so they can set up a new governing body which incoporates the teams heavily in the rules etc and that actually knows what they're talking about