F1 Sucks

[Buzz]

No wonder it'll never catch on in the US.

Updated: 02:14 PM EDT
U.S. Grand Prix Loses Several Cars After Safety Fiasco
Some Fans Throw Water Bottles on Track in Disgust
By JENNA FRYER, AP Sports

INDIANAPOLIS (June 19) - The United States Grand Prix started with just six cars in the race after 14 others refused to participate Sunday out of safety concerns with their Michelin tires.

All 20 cars lined up on the starting grid and completed the warmup lap. Then, the 14 cars that use Michelin tires, pulled back into their pits and parked.
It left just six cars on the track, including the Ferraris of Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello, to start the race. The six remaining cars all use Bridgestone tires.

The bewildered crowd at Indianapolis Motor Speedway was left pointing and gawking as they tried to figure out why the majority of the field was climbing out of their cars.

Many fans were booing and some threw water bottles on the track in disgust.

It was a clear fiasco for Formula One, which has desperately tried to capture the American market. The U.S. is the rare country that has not embraced the world's top racing series.

The problems began on Friday when Ralf Schumacher crashed in the final turn at Indy after Michelin tires failed on his Toyota. He later failed to gain medical clearance to race.

Ricardo Zonta, his teammate, also wrecked because of a tire failure.

Michelin said it was unable to determine why its tires weren't sturdy, and asked the FIA, the series governing body, if it could ship in a new batch of rubber from its France warehouse.

The FIA said no, that teams are permitted just one set of tires per weekend.

So Michelin, the world's largest tiremaker, advised the seven teams - 14 drivers in all - not to participate in the race. Bridgestone supplies for three other teams, or six drivers.

The Michelin teams argued all of Sunday morning for either a break in the tire rule, or that a chicane be placed in the 13th turn to slow the speeds. The turn has been a concern since last season, when Ralf Schumacher was seriously injured in an accident in the same spot.

The FIA refused the use of a chicane, and after a two-hour meeting that could be seen growing heated at times, nine teams emerged adamant that they would not race without the obstacle on the course.

Ferrari was the lone holdout.

Still, as the start time approached, it appeared all 10 teams would race as they lined up on the starting grid.

Instead, the Michelin cars pulled off the track after their warmup lap.

"The long and short of it is we're not prepared to do the race, from a safety point of view," said Mark Webber of BMW-Williams. "The drivers, we want to go."

[Buzz]

If you saw ESPN Sportscenter on Saturday they aired this interview with F1 President at CEO Bernie Ecclestone:

http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/news/s...irl&id=2089257

[Yeti77]

I'll still watch formula 1, CART racing series, or what ever it is called now, Rally cars, and motorcycle racing anyday over nascar.

[rjspitz]

Originally Posted by Buzz

If you saw ESPN Sportscenter on Saturday they aired this interview with F1 President at CEO Bernie Ecclestone:

http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/news/s...irl&id=2089257

That's funny, I don't care who you are, that's funny.

I can't wait till Bernie passes on the torch.

[burp43]

It seems to me Michelin F1 tires suck.

[TitanIam]

Pretty bad show. All the teams had to do was change their driving to suit conditions. Like they do in the rain. If it meant taking that last corner slower, so be it.

So the Michelins couldn't handle the corner at such high speeds. So what!

The FIA is not to blame for this but the Michelin tired teams.

[badlooser]

F-1 Totaly screwed that day up for the USA and all its fans that traveled from far away to see the show. I was going to travel from Florida to watch the race but had to work instead. I am glad I did not go.

[ChadEberly]

the deal that happend at U.s. WAS PERFECT. The michelins have been bad as* all year and my boy Micheal Schumacher has had ****t* luck with the Bridgestones. So the michelins give out and Mikey gets the victory, good for him. He hasnt *****ed about having ****ty tires all year, he just keeps fighting . I think all the other drivers with michelins are *****s for not racing.
Just my opinion

[badlooser]

Originally Posted by TitanIam

Pretty bad show. All the teams had to do was change their driving to suit conditions. Like they do in the rain. If it meant taking that last corner slower, so be it.

So the Michelins couldn't handle the corner at such high speeds. So what!

The FIA is not to blame for this but the Michelin tired teams.

I agree with you Michelin is to blame and not the FiA but I think The FiA could have done something about the situation to give a better show.