Michellin sucks, -ruined the USGP Options

[seanery]

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/finger.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/finger.gif) I can't believe it. WTF. Michellin, in it's 6th year here, can't create a tire that will will finish the race? WTF.

NO FRENCHIE FUCKING TIRES FOR ANY OF MY CARS!!! (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/finger.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/finger.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/finger.gif)

[mudfoot76]

QUOTE (cdmcse @ Jun 19 2005, 10:28 PM)

I think the FIA screwed the pooch here. They should have came to some compromise with the teams, whatever it took. Reguardless of rules or whatever, F1 would not exists without the fans. However I don't think the drivers should uneccisarily be required to endanger thier life with a faulty part, when a better one exists and is available. Safety should be number one. Period.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/agree.gif)

I was out there all weekend too. It seems to me that FIA (Mosley?) could have tried to work something out so that there would still have been a race. I didn't pay $105 for my seat to watch a Bridgestone tire test. Many of the people who were around me at the start of the "race" had left by lap 15. Everyone in attendance was furious. I can only imagine how pissed off all the sponsors for McLaren, Toyota, et al, not to mention the race sponsors (Allianz, Orange, RBS, et al) must feel. You could probably hear the collective channel change all over the world once everyone realized that the race was f'ed. The only reason any of those companies support events like this is because they view it as a great advertising opportunity.

I was impressed by the Ferrari drivers' candor on the podium, but Schumi's remarks during the press conference made me feel worse about the day. I've heard all the rumors about Ferrari rejecting the bid for a chicane, and supposed collaboration w/FIA against the Michelin teams. I don't know what to believe on that. I think that if Ferrari had stepped up and forced the safety issue, then maybe FIA would have worked harder to develop a solution that worked for everyone. I won't fault Jordan or Minardi for fielding their cars though -- both those teams struggle mightily to participate that they need all the sponsorship exposure they can muster. Scoring points is a means to that end....

There was concern that the tires were unsafe, Michelin took the RESPONSIBLE action to notify everyone of the safety concern. I don't know what the problem is/was, or why it occurred, but it did and they recognized it and told everyone that the tires may not be safe. However mad I am about today's outcome, I would have been infinitely more upset had they not said anything and a driver, corner worker, or spectator was injured from an accident. The liability is enormous! I will gladly sacrifice my $105 ticket to make sure that myself, the drivers, the corner workers, and other spectators don't have to be put at an unnecessary risk just to watch cars go fast. At it was today, I was absolutely horrified to see people throwing trash onto the circuit. My heart skipped a beat everytime I saw a corner worker dash onto the tarmac to pick up a bottle or can. That was totally inexcusable, and I totally support the remorseless beating of anyone who threw stuff onto the track.

All in all, a sh*tty day. Shame on Michelin for not doing their homework. Shame on the FIA for not trying to develop an acceptable compromise, and then forcing some teams to make a tough call that could put the safety of everyone at IMS today at risk, with the alternative that they instead retire. Shame on a small group of attendees who took an unhappy event and turned it ugly. That is really not the impression that We want to portray on world television of our city (and by extension, our country and citizenry). There was never any need to throw debris onto the track at any time.